THE impact of world events, job uncertainty and increased work pressures could explain why lunchtime spending at work in the South West has dropped for the first time in 12 years.

The findings of the Eurest Lunchtime Report, a survey of the nation's lunchtime eating habits at work, contrast with those at the start of the millennium, when workers were spending the most time and money on their midday meal recorded in a decade.

Nationally, the average lunch hour has dropped by nine minutes to a record low of 27 minutes 28 minutes in the South West and the high street has become a less popular place to dine as a busier, teetotalling and more cost-conscious workforce chooses not to lunch out.

But it's good news for caterers as workers return to the staff restaurant in droves, with people twice as likely to use company's catering facilities than in 2000.

"The pressure to perform is making workers of all ages cut short their lunchbreak this year," said caterer and food writer Prue Leith.

The survey also reveals that taste, health, price, convenience and speed are now the most important factors in choosing a midday meal.

But, while British workers are much more concerned this year with healthy eating, most are not prepared to pay more for an organic meal.

After sandwiches, fruit has replaced the declining packed lunch as the nation's favourite lunchtime food, and tea, coffee and a new entry, mineral water, are now ranked as the top three lunchtime drinks.

Only one in 100 workers has a lunchtime tipple compared to one in three in 1990.