Most motorists would stop to help a stranded female driver but hardly anyone would help a bunch of blokes in a breakdown, it was revealed today.

More than half of male motorists, and a third of female ones, would offer assistance if a single woman driver had broken down, a survey by the Autonational Rescue company found.

But just 23% of all motorists would stop for a broken down single male driver and even fewer - only 17% - would go to the assistance of a group of males.

The poll of 1,013 adults also found that 57% of drivers would happily stop to help either a disabled driver or a family with children.

A total of 40% of men, and 19% of women, would offer assistance if a group of women had broken down.

Autonational marketing manager Ronan Hart said: "In the event of a breakdown at the side of an A or B road, we would still advise motorists to use their breakdown service members and call on experts to help them.

"There are some situations in which the broken down motorist may feel uncomfortable, even threatened, if, for example a well-intentioned man stops to help a lone woman driver."