CLEANLINESS is top of the agenda for Fareham residents, according to a new survey.

A poll of customers at the town's new Robert Dyas store in West Street found that more than 50 per cent employ a professional cleaner to keep their home sparkling, mainly because of a lack of time.

But 70 per cent of people admitted to cleaning the house the night before the cleaner arrives, so the cleaner didn't see them as dirty or lazy.

Nigel Clearly, store manager, said: "Cleaning for the cleaner is not as uncommon as it may seem. Despite needing help, many of us don't want the cleaner to see that we live in dirty homes!"

More than half of people spend as much money on a cleaner as on buying clothes each month.