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The cost of Christmas hangovers is a real headache for British business, new research has claimed.

Overindulgence by staff at annual company Christmas parties is likely to cost firms £790 million over this year's festive period, claims hotel firm Travelodge.

A poll of 4500 workers conducted for the company finds the average employee expects to spend around two-and-a-half hours staring into space at their workplace due to a hangover prompted by the business' Christmas bash.

Staff also predicted their productivity would halve after their annual work celebrations.

A further 30 per cent of respondents admitted they avoided work altogether in the aftermath of the office Christmas party, calling in sick due to a hangover.

But 34 per cent acknowledged they were convinced their boss knew they were "pulling a fast one".

Those who do phone in sick due to a hangover are unlikely to attract sympathy from fellow employees, with 67 per cent of people stressing they get annoyed when another member of staff is off work as a result of a night out.

Meanwhile some of those who do make it into work with a hangover end up spending their time sleeping, with 15 per cent of staff admitting they had taken a catnap in their job after a big social event.

Their desk proved the most popular place for a sneaky sleep, followed by the toilet and their car.

A total of 21 per cent said they had experienced feeling sick at work after a night out, but while 77 per cent made it to the toilets to be ill the remaining number admitted they had been sick either at their desk, in the workplace kitchen or car park, or even in a meeting.

Offering a tip to workers likely to suffer after a night out this Christmas, Travelodge spokesman Leigh McCarron said: "Always drink plenty of water before going to bed and first thing in the morning, eat a healthy breakfast."