Sandwich appeal is spreading

Whether we buy them, get the other half to make them or do them ourselves, one thing is certain - we love sandwiches.

The humble snack is now so popular the average Briton eats 155 a year. In fact, if the 10 billion we scoff were placed end-to-end they would stretch to the Moon and back - twice. The popularity of the 'convenience snack' has been fuelled by the growing culture of longer working hours.

Eight out of ten sandwiches eaten are home-made but, even so, the sandwich market is worth more than £3billion a year.

Londoners scoff a quarter of all the sandwiches sold throughout Britain, a study revealed yesterday.

The most popular type is the 'pre-packed wedge' in a plastic box, which accounts for half of sales. Perhaps because men are too lazy to make their own, researchers found the typical British sandwich-buyer is young, male and in full-time work.

The cheapest sandwiches tend to be sold by supermarkets and cost about £1.25, while those from cafÈs and snack bars usually cost more, on average about £2. Sandwich-lovers of both sexes said freshness and appearance were the key factors they looked for when buying.