Washing machines ‘vital to daily life’

The washing machine is one of the most indispensable gadgets around, according to new research.

A study by retailer Comet found that the device is second only to the internet when it comes to inventions that people could not live without, reports, the Daily Mirror.

The home computer, television and cooker made up the rest of the top five.

However, other gadgets have been largely forgotten with 92 per cent of people saying they cannot remember a telephone with a dial on it.

Speaking to the newspaper, a Comet spokesperson said: "For every indispensable iPod, there is a Sodastream or Betamax quickly forgotten."

The poll was commissioned by the retailer to mark its 75th anniversary.

Meanwhile, another survey by US digital pay-TV firm reveals that 97 per cent of people consider a washing machine to be indispensable.

Microwaves are considered to be a vital gadget by 86 per cent of respondents.