Brits are getting kinkier thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey and Sex and the City

We might have a reputation for being uptight and prudish but it turns out us Brits are getting kinkier.

A whopping 78 per cent of women have used a sex toy and 66 per cent enjoy playing dress-up in the bedroom.

According to the survey of 20,000 people, carried out by The Sun, 77 per cent of women have read an erotic novel, like 2011's bestseller "Fifty Shades of Grey".

However only 11 per cent of these avid readers have shared their naughty books with a partner.

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The tantalising trilogy tells the tale of virginal Anastasia Steele who meets and quickly falls under the spell of Christian Grey, billionaire businessman with a penchant for spanking and submission.

"Fifty Shades" has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and is credited by Ann Summers CEO Jacqueline Gold as the reason behind a huge increase in the purchase of sex toys.

"The 'Fifty Shades of Grey' phenomenon has really opened people’s eyes to the sex toy industry," Jacqueline told Yahoo! Lifestyle

"It’s allowed them to be more open about these types of products. Since the launch of the book, the sale of erotic accessories and toys in our stores and online has increased massively."

Sex toys like the infamous Rampant Rabbit which rose to prominence after featuring in "Sex and the City" way back in 1998.

Straight-laced Charlotte rebuffs the notion of a vibrator replacing a man but quickly becomes addicted to her new piece of hardware (ahem!) leading Carrie and Miranda to stage an intervention.

As well as sex toys and dressing up, Brits also have a fondness for the outdoors - well we must do as 72 per cent of us admitted to having sex outside.

That compares with 64 per cent who have got down and dirty in the car and over a quarter who've broken many health and safety rules by having sex at work.

Looks like "Fifty Shades" and "Sex and the City" have got a lot to answer too!