Female workers in Britain earn, on average, 27% less than their male counterparts, according to PayFinder

The biggest wage differential was found in London, where men earn an average of £39,022 and women 35% less at £28,833, followed by the East Midlands and the South East, with a 32% differential

N. Ireland had the smallest gap at 15%, according to the research, carried out among 40,000 workers between August 2004 and 2005

The survey also revealed 66% of women are too scared to ask for more money, compared to 24% of men.