Athird of British workers have admitted to lying on their CVs, according to a new survey.

More than 12 per cent have expanded on the truth' about their exam grades and qualifications while another one in 10 have lied about their reason for leaving their current job.

Five per cent have even pretended to go to university, the poll by video recruitment website www.jobs2view.com revealed.

But for some the lie backfires as two per cent have been caught out by prospective employers or interviewers. Four per cent have lost out on a job because of this.

Brits dont stop at their CV when it comes to lying - more than one in five people have got someone such as a parent or a friend to pose as a reference.

The poll of 2,500 adults revealed that some people don't have a problem impressing bosses with their CV but simply getting through the interview without making a fool of themselves.

More than one in 10 per cent have sworn while eight per cent have fallen over. More than 10 per cent have even walked out mid-way though an interview.

But despite these slip-ups, a quarter of people say they have still been hired for the job.

However, a 25 per cent of employers say bad personal hygiene is the thing they hate the most and would immediately put them off hiring a candidate.

Bad manners and swearing are also high on the list of interview dont's.

Jon Glas, managing director of www.jobs2view.com, said: "Our CVs give employers the first impression of our skills and experiences and it seems a lot of people are lying in an effort to get their foot in the door and impress.

"But this can cause a whole load of new problems as they then have to keep up the lie if they get the job.

"We would advise telling the truth and concentrating on your strengths rather than worrying about your weaknesses."

The poll also revealed that one in five Brits have been asked a ridiculous question that had no relevance to the job.

Four per cent have been asked who they would like to trade places with and more than three per cent have been asked what animal they think they would be.

One respondent was even asked what cake they would be.