More than half of Britons would prefer less media coverage of complex religious issues, according to a new poll.

The FAMI/HarrisX survey of people in 18 countries - ranging from the UK and the USA to Singapore, China, Egypt and Mexico - found that 56 per cent overall wanted greater coverage worldwide - but only 48 per cent in Britain, with 52 per cent preferring less.

However, 57 per cent of those in the UK thought that the media perpetuated faith-based stereotypes, close to the 61 per cent who thought so worldwide.

Whereas 57 per cent of the global sample thought that the media approach to faith creates unease and anxiety, only 48 per cent of those in the UK felt likewise.

Just over a third - 34 per cent - globally followed a media outlet focusing on faith-based news but only 16 per cent in the UK.

And 55 per cent of those in the UK thought the media actively ignores rather than appropriately addresses religion (compared with 53 per cent worldwide).

Forty-per cent of Jews in the sample followed a faith-based media source, fewer than the 56 per cent of Muslims.

And whereas more than two out of five in the Middle East that religious stereotypes should receive more attention than gender or race-based stereotypes, only 18 per cent of Jews did.

Jews also appeared sceptical that more religious coverage would lead to greater interest in religion - 31 per cent compared with 58 per cent of Muslims.