More than a million parents are left with the same messy motoring dilemma every Monday morning – getting their company car fit for business after a weekend with the kids.

These figures are according to new research from Skoda, which highlights the items found on backseats and in footwells as UK drivers balance the demands of being both a parent and a professional.

While food wrappers (66 per cent), crumbs (60pc) and mud (51pc) are the most commonly-found remnants of weekend family motoring – alongside cuddly toys - some kids leave weirder and more wonderful surprises.

These include: cheese graters, bird skulls, daleks, dead mice and frogs, live goldfish, jellyfish, a pair of pants, pet hamsters, pieces of coal, teeth, caterpillars, horse poo in a bag, TV remotes, worms, a week-old beef burger and a wet sponge.

One respondent to the Skoda study even told how her son: “Wrote ‘homeless’ on the back of my seat in felt tip. Not sure how to take that!”

Such discoveries leave more than three fifths (61pc) of parents embarrassed at the state of their car, while more than one in five (21pc) clean out their backseats every Monday morning. To help make life on the road a little easier for its owners, Skoda offers a range of accessories that help keep cars looking sharp, stylish and clean.

For example, the brand’s ‘protection pack’ helps drivers avoid mud stains on both the inside and outside of their cars, Bluetooth and multi-media options help company car drivers maintain an air of professionalism, even if their kids present evidence to the contrary. All of Skoda’s servicing options include a full car clean and valet.

A Skoda spokesman said: “We understand the duality of cars being used for both personal and professional reasons. Weekend motoring with the kids can be great fun but also presents challenges on a Monday morning. To help, Skoda offers a range of Simply Clever accessories that keep kids occupied, parents happy and mess at bay.”