BUILDERS topped the list of professionals that women in Northern Ireland would most like to live with in a survey published today, beating chefs, dentists, waiters and even comedians.

In a survey, 40% of women would most like builders living in their homes, while men voted nurses in top place (32%) and ranked builders a respectable second (20%), with over 80% describing them as friendly or cheery. Tax inspectors, traffic wardens and insurance agents were least favoured by both sexes, in the independent survey of 1,400 adults carried out by tickbox.net last week.

Geoff Bridgeman, director of FMB Northern Ireland, said, "With one in three people admitting that they spend more money on DIY than any other home expense, it's no surprise that builders came out top, above any other profession. Having a builder around the home would not only save people having to do the work themselves, but also get the job done properly."