Britain’s dependence on “white van man” - and woman - has been underlined by new research into how commercial vehicles affect the public’s everyday lives.

Half of the population have received online orders delivered via vans in the past week, according to data from automotive industry trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), while Britain is now the EU’s biggest online retail market, with £67.3bn of sales last year.

This growth in internet shopping and home delivery has made the 'white van man' an important part of our everyday lives.

Recent government data showed 250,000 people listed van driving as their main occupation - but they represent only a fraction of the 1.8m sole traders such as painters and builders whose businesses depend on their vans.

When all commercial vehicles - including trucks, buses and taxis - are included, there are five million goods and service vehicles on UK roads.