Flexible employment options, such as the chance to work from home, are being denied to many thousands of mothers around the UK, a new report has suggested.

A recent study carried out by WorkingMums.co.uk found that while most mothers in Britain considered employment flexibility to be a priority as they search for work, a full 90 per cent said it is difficult to find the job that meets their needs.

The researchers conclude that businesses around the country are missing out on finding experienced and highly-skilled employees by not offering mothers the kind of professional flexibility they want.

Alex Cheatle, manager director of lifestyle management company Ten UK, said: "For us time management is critical as is the ability to multi-task. Mums are great at managing time as they are used to keeping unmovable deadlines and to doing many things at once.

"Additionally, working from home works for us, it means we can get someone with local knowledge cost effectively and efficiently."

Last week, an article featured in the Age newspaper in Australia insisted that home-based working gives mothers a better chance of balancing their professional and personal commitments.