There are many ways in which children can benefit from eating with their parents at meal times, one expert has said.

Psychologist Professor Geoff Beattie emphasised that research has shown how youngsters are more inclined towards healthy eating if they eat as part of a family unit.

"It's also important for cognitive development, in that those kids who are used to family meals tend to have better vocabulary development, because obviously we learn to talk through socialisation and everyday conversation," he continued.

Professor Beattie highlighted that youngsters may find they have fewer sleep disturbances as a result of congregating to eat home cooking.

Recent research by Bisto has found the family meal in the UK is in decline, with just 27 per cent of respondents revealing that they eat together every day.

Furthermore, 59 per cent said that they are distracted by devices such as mobile phones while at the dinner table.