Sharon tends to do a weekly shop at the supermarket then may make smaller purchases at local shops such as the butchers.

Neils main chores are those he calls the "traditionally male" jobs such as gardening and cutting the grass, odd fix-it jobs around the house and putting out the bins for collection.

Neil, 38, and Sharon, 37, grew up in Northumberland and still live there with their two children, Lucy, six, and Grace, four.

Neil said: "I dont mind shopping but Sharon has taken it on as one of her main responsibilities.

"I suppose you could say we are quite traditional and as the mother of the house Sharon likes to make sure that the children get the right things to eat to remain fit and healthy.

"Sharon has a more practical approach to shopping and she is very good at planning ahead and thinking about what ingredients we need for our meals.

"Im prone to buying treats - Id buy the kids cakes or a big packet of chocolate buttons whereas Sharons more likely to buy them healthy snacks like fruit and yoghurts."

Sharon said: "Neil will do the shopping but I always give him a list so he knows what to get. Otherwise I never know what he will come back with!

"I like to buy healthy food that will last us for meals throughout the week. As a mum its very important for me to make sure that the family eats healthily, and Neil has high cholesterol so he needs to watch what he eats.

"Both the children have packed lunches and I like to buy them healthy, tasty snacks for them to eat.

"Im very concerned that they get their five portions of fruit and vegetables every day and I make sure we are well stocked up with this type of food.

" Every day I like to cook a dinner with vegetables - a typical meal would be
'"/>

Contact: Dr Amelia Lake
amelia.lake@ncl.ac.uk
7-855-473-686
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
11-Dec-2006