Fewer parents now read to their children every day than two years ago, according to new research. A report conducted on behalf of Booktime and Booked Up shows only one in three parents or carers read aloud to children on a daily basis.

Fewer parents now read to their children every day than two years ago, according to new research.

A report conducted on behalf of Booktime and Booked Up shows only one in three parents or carers read aloud to children on a daily basis, compared with nearly half (43%) in 2006.

The survey found that Edinburgh had the most enthusiastic young readers.

Nearly all Edinburgh children surveyed (97%) said they enjoy it and 93% of those in Newcastle and 94% in Cardiff said the same.

Children further south were not so passionate: 16% of children in Sheffield and Manchester said they do not like reading - the highest in the UK. This is followed by those in Birmingham (14%) and Southampton (13%).

Figures were compiled by asking 1507 UK parents or carers of pre-school and school-age children about their offsprings' reading habits, with 1051 children aged seven to 14 also surveyed.

Younger children are more likely to read with parents, the research shows.

Half of children aged four to five read with an adult daily compared with only 7% of children aged 11-12.

Parents said reasons such as too much else to do (35%), tiredness (30%) and cooking dinner (25%) prevented them from reading with their child.

Mothers are also more likely to read to a child, with 64% the "chief reader" to children aged four to five and 46% to children aged 11-12.

While daily reading figures have decreased, more parents or carers said they now spend more time reading with a child as a whole.

In 2006, half of all fathers said they did not read with their children while this figure is now at just 20%, with mothers doing the lion's share of the reading.

Poetry also proved popular among the children surveyed. More than one-third of the youngsters said they enjoyed it, although this figure was lower in older children.

Half of all seven to eight-year-olds liked reading poetry compared with only 31% in the 12 to 14 age bracket.

However, more than one-quarter (31%) of parents said they never read poetry with their children as it is difficult to find poems they will both like (20%) and they are too busy (11%).

The youngsters said they generally enjoy reading with parents. Nine out of 10 gave it the thumbs up, even though a majority of them spend most time in front of the television.