Children who own pets have "significantly" better school attendance and are less likely to fall ill, researchers believe.

Their work does also contain a warning about the risk of catching infections from animals.

Why children seek a pet's company

40% when bored 32% when scared (mostly dogs) 53% while watching TV/videos 37% while reading/doing homework 28% after a family row 40% when upset 85% as a playmate 34% when tired 33% when feeling poorly

But they say there are clear benefits from the close physical relationship children have with their pets - especially when the children are younger, aged five to eight.

The research was carried out by University of Warwick health psychologist Dr June McNicholas and Novartis Animal Health.

They tested the immune systems of 138 youngsters and looked at school attendance records.

Dr McNicholas said: "Pet ownership was significantly associated with better school attendance rates."

Risk of worms

Children with pets had up to 18 more half days at school each year - attendance is usually measured in morning and afternoon sessions - than their non-pet owning counterparts.

The immune system tests suggested that the children with pets had more stable systems - indicating that they were better able to fend off illness.

But pets can also pass on what are known as "zoonotic" infections which humans cannot fight off.

Dr McNicholas said: "Toxocara canis, or roundworm, is the principle risk in the UK.

"This parasite is 'caught' by humans when they accidentally ingest roundworm eggs shed by an infected dog, and can cause anything from a stomach-ache to eye damage."

When asked if they ever shared food with a pet, 38% of the children said they shared snacks such as crisps while watching TV.

Almost a third shared food with their pets if they thought they weren't being seen and 16% shared food with their pets at mealtimes.