MORE than one Colchester family in six never sits down to eat together during an average week, research suggests.

Research by restaurant chain Table Table, saw 16 per cent of families admitting family dinners were largely a thing of the past.

Table runs the Balkerne Gate pub and restaurant, in Ipswich Road.

The survey also found even when Colchester families did eat together, conversation is dominated by television rather than school, work or family matters.