IT'S heartwarming to see that, since Diary revealed how some really first-class barmy research cheers us up on these cold, hard winter days, there are more people out there willing to lighten our mood.

Hot on the heels of last week's study into the nation's favourite breakfast cereals - and we're still convinced Shreddies should have been rated higher - comes another prize morsel.

It will surely strike a chord with those of us who have ever spent a completely unnecessary amount of time in front of the mirror checking that just the right amount of hair mousse or mascara has been applied and that there are no nasty bits lurking between our teeth, or who can't resist doing the crossword in the paper while on the toilet because "it's the only way I ever get any thinking done".

Hats off, then, to bathroom retailer Bathstore, which has analysed how much time the average Brit spends showering, brushing their teeth and going to the loo in their lifetime - one year, seven months and 18 days precisely.

Other revelations include women using up a month more of their life in the bathroom than men, men spending 25 minutes a week more on the toilet than women, both sexes spending six months in the shower and two months more drying themselves afterwards.

Add in 18 minutes a week brushing our teeth, 23 minutes washing our face and 17 minutes removing hair - nice - and it's a miracle we've got time to do anything else.

"It just goes to show how important a domestic space the bathroom is," said a Bathstore spokesman.

"Unlike other rooms in the home, the great thing about a bathroom is that it's a place to be on your own and get away from it all.

"It's essential to have a living space where you can get some essential "me" time, so creating a relaxing, stylish, yet functional bathroom is a must."

They would say that. But keep the wacky polls coming, folks, we love 'em.


Funeral service on the internet

NEWS also reaches us of a novel new way of organising a funeral - over the internet.

Dubbed "the information super-stairway to heaven" by founder Roger Harrop, the www.funeralwishes.co.uk allows users to choose the location of the service, the vicar or priest, whether to opt for burial or cremation, hymns and flowers online from their own homes.

"Afterwards, many people begin to feel they didn't arrange a good funeral, rushed through it and perhaps didn't say as much as they wanted," says Roger.

"It's distressing enough losing a loved one, but visiting funeral directors can be another unwanted event.

"This site enables you to plan every aspect of a funeral at your own pace, and it really is a case of anything goes as long as the funeral director will go along with your ideas."

The service also allows people to plan their own funeral, making it simpler for their family to organise after their death.

Full details are available on the website.