Bad BO is the region's biggest summer turn-off

Summer makes us feel happier, but it really can be the pits – literally. A study of people in the South West into what turns us on and off reveals that ponging perspiration tops the list of summer things that should be banned.

Six in ten say BO is a big no-no, closely followed by dodgy attire: Speedo-style swimming trunks, visible body hair, wearing sunglasses indoors, and men wearing vests.

But the best thing about summer for people in the South West is the simple fact that everyone is so much happier. Although summer brings out a questionable dress sense in many, people in the region admit that wearing fewer clothes is also one of the best things about the summertime. Perhaps that's why nearly half (49%) say they feel sexier at this time of year, and 46% say they fall in love more easily.

For one in five of us in the South West – higher than anywhere else in the country – one of the best things about summer is leaving work in daylight. But while we dislike being stuck at work when it's warm outside, with more than a quarter (28%) saying it's one of the worst things about summer, almost nine in ten (the highest in the UK) say they'd never take a sickie. One in five say their pet peeve is feeling too hot, which is perhaps why a whopping 79% say their top way of cooling down is with a nice, cold drink.

Gennaro Pelliccia, Chief Taster from Costa says: "After the long winter months, we all look forward to the first signs of summer and our study to launch Costa's new Ice Cold drinks was a fun way of finding out what people love and hate the most about British summertime."