SLEEP-deprived Brits have a nightmare time nodding off and are then likely to wake up at 3.44am, a study revealed yesterday.

They are disturbed twice a night by taps, noisy neighbours, snoring, kicking partners and pawing pets.

The study showed four in 10 struggle to fall asleep, with the average Brit taking 46 minutes to nod off.

Worries about money and work were the most common culprits, while one sixth blamed eating late and too much caffeine. The research into the sleeping habits of 3,000 Brits was commissioned by herbal sleep remedy A.Vogel Dormeasan.

Dr Jen Tan of A.Vogel said: “It’s staggering how many people struggle to fall asleep and then they are woken twice during the night. Sleep is the first thing to bear the brunt of an overworked or hectic lifestyle and can have a huge impact on how we function the next day.

“Many people rush through their day and then collapse into bed without a period of calm to allow their adrenal glands to switch off. Without sleep the body struggles to repair itself and everyday tasks become harder.”

The most common time to wake was 3.44am and one half of those studied said they felt tired all day long as a result of interrupted sleep. One in five even admitted nodding off during the day.

Thirteen per cent have fallen asleep at work as a result and 11 per cent have dropped off in a meeting. Many people also found themselves nodding off in the early evening while watching TV.

Dr Jen Tan added: “This lack of decent shut-eye is causing millions of Brits to drop off at their desk the next day, be ineffective in meetings and lack concentration.

“Most of us need seven to eight hours’ sleep so when we fall short of this it’s easy to experience rising anxiety.”