Nearly half of millennials are hiring cleaners because they are "too busy" to clean their own flats, figures show.

Hiring a professional maid help to keep a one bedroom flat spic and span would once have been an unthinkable prospect for many, but times have changed and it is fast becoming the norm.

According to insurer Esure, demand for regular home cleaners has grown by over 25pc in the past 5 years, with most of the demand coming from young professionals living in one or two bedroom properties.

In addition research by cleaning site Helpling.com found four in ten 25-34 year olds either has a cleaner or is looking for one, up from a third two years ago.