British businessmen lie, whereas women say flirting over lunch is the best way to land a deal, according to a new survey.

The PizzaExpress study into the art of business lunching in 21st century Britain reveals that a third of new business is won each year thanks to networking, and 40 per cent of business contacts are made through out-of-office socialising.

Sector-wide, IT professionals are the sauciest when it comes to networking. Eleven per cent admit they've networked at a lap-dancing club, while they're also the most likely to talk about sex over a business lunch.

But while the marketing sector relies on networking for striking deals estimating it results in 42 per cent of business growth per year British manufacturers trail the pack. Just over half say they have business lunches just three or four times a year.

Interestingly, the sales and marketing sector, who rate their networking skills best, also lie the most 49 per cent say they've lied over the table to their dining companion.

According to David Sykes, MD of PizzaExpress: "Networking seems to be the cog in the wheel in helping a business grow, as well as keeping it front of mind for business associates."

However, Stella Godwin, below, managing director of Mainline Employment Ltd, in Commercial Road, Swindon, is not a great fan of using business lunches for closing a deal.

She said: "I can't recall ever winning a new contract this way perhaps I don't flirt enough?

"In all seriousness though, I have found that most of our new business comes from recommendation and referral."

The PizzaExpress study also reveals that more than one in 10 women say they that flirting with clients over lunch has won them new business, compared to one in 10 men who've lied their way into a new contract

Lawyers are most likely to tie things up on the golf course, whereas the finance sector favours sports events.