Cash-strapped children are staying at home longer than ever before with parents continuing to support them well into adulthood, a survey has revealed.

New research by Abbey National has found not only are children leaving home later than previous generations, but they are also returning to the family more often.

Since the late 1950s, the proportion of young adults who return home after initially fleeing the nest has nearly doubled, from 25% to 46%.

Modern parents are doing more for their offspring than mums and dads in generations past.

It's not just the comfort of the parental home children are reluctant to leave behind, it's the cash they are handed out.

The survey found that four decades ago, only one in five young adults received cash handouts, up to £100, from parents after leaving home. Today half of them get this financial help, the survey revealed.

The bankrolling does not stop with token sums of money, with more than a third of 18- to 24-year-olds receiving parental help in paying their rent or mortgage.

This compares with only 6% having the same help when they needed it 40 years ago.

Generous parents are also helping more than ever on a practical level, with 17% of 25- to 34-year-olds still getting their parents to wash their clothes after they move out, compared with only one in 10 people born before 1955.

Researchers questioned 965 people from three generations of families aged 18 and above on their attitudes towards parenting, between May 18 and May 21 this year. Story filed: 00:06 Friday 27th July 2001