An unlikely new study by the University of Leicester indicates that those UK motorists who drive cars classified as 4x4s or SUVS are actually the most likely of all to recycle their waste and use eco-friendly products.

Apparently, 4x4 drivers, who are portrayed as anti- environmental eco-criminals wrecking the environment by driving unnecessarily large fuel -guzzling trucks are the greenest of motorists. Alarmingly though, the study found that on in every 20 people are doing nothing whatsoever to help the planet.

The study also built an eco-profile of the country, showing who was the greenest and where they were located. Women were apparently more likely to carry out small green tasks such as reusing supermarket carrier bags, turning television sets off, and using energy friendly light bulbs .

One expert behind the study, Adrian White, said: The study found people who own 4x4s are more likely to recycle that people that drive smaller cars. But the sort of people who drive 4x4s are most likely to be adults, so they are more able to make choices - for example you have to be a homeowner to fit double glazing .

In the UK, the cost of motoring has been shown to increase significantly year on year. Road tax, MOT and servicing payments, car finance payments, car insurance payments and fuel bills all add up to make Britain one of the most expensive countries to drive in the world. Perhaps those who drive 4x4s are the greenest because they can afford to be.