Half of people in the UK would support increasing the speed limit on the country's motorways, a new survey has revealed.

According to research carried out by MSN UK, one in two Britons would like to see the speed limit raised from 70 to 80 mph.

Meanwhile, one in four people said they would like to see the current speed limit retained.

MSN said this means an "overwhelming" proportion of Britons want to be able to drive faster on the country's motorways.

"Britain's speed limits are among the lowest in Europe," it observed.

"Many of our continental neighbours, including France, Germany and Spain, have a 130 km/h (81 mph) limit."

MSN carried out the poll after the government unveiled proposals to cut the speed limit between junctions 28 and 35a on the M1.

Just eight per cent of respondents to the survey agreed with the plans, which have been devised as part of an effort to curb pollution.