Busy people are ditching microwave meals in favour of home-cooked "fast food", research has revealed.

Worries about cost and diet mean that people are now cooking something quick from scratch, such as a stir-fry or omelette, instead of reaching for the staple microwave ready-meal when they are short on time.

The study, conducted by British Lion Eggs to try and encourage home cooks to rustle up quick meals from scratch, also found that almost a quarter admitted their microwave is completely redundant (or even said they don't even own one).

And despite the myth that students and young adults are the most likely to survive on microwave food, the study found that the over-50s are more likely to consider the gadget to be an important part of their kitchen.

"People seem to be becoming more adventurous in the kitchen, and are now cooking more meals from scratch, even when they are in a rush," Andrew Joret, chairman of the British Egg Industry Council, said.

"It's interesting to see that the younger generation seems to be the ones who are embracing fresh-cooked fast food."

The study of 2000 respondents found that when they are tight on time, seven in 10 people are rustling up a quick dish from fresh ingredients, while just one in five people are relying on microwave or ready-meals for a quick fix.

The study also suggests that the popularity of celebrity chefs and cooking shows on television has led to a drop in microwave use, with two thirds of people being inspired to try a new dish they have seen on a TV programme.

Another 68 percent think younger people are becoming more inspired to cook from scratch thanks to the popularity of celebrity chefs.

But the research found that adventurous cooks are looking for inspiration even further away from the traditional means. Recipe books are being neglected in favour of the internet or Facebook instead.

When looking for something new to try, 47 percent scour the vast selection of cooking websites while another 29 percent rely purely on search engines like Google to source culinary inventions.

Almost one in five save things they have seen on TV, 23 percent cut ideas out of newspapers or magazines and one in 20 even turn to YouTube for inspiration.

But less than one in 10 would go and buy a new recipe book.

Photographs posted on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter have 28 percent of people inspired to try a new dish or recipe, while 24 percent admit if they create a dish they are proud of, they always head online again - this time posting a picture on their social network profiles.

Researchers also revealed that 83 percent do enjoy cooking, and another 79 percent enjoy experimenting with their meals and ingredients.

More than eight in 10 also like trying out new recipes or unusual dishes, with 62 percent saying they consider themselves to be an adventurous person in the kitchen.