Couples are getting married and starting work later and there are fewer young grandparents around than in previous years, according to new research.

Four out of five of those over 60 were married before they were 25, compared with one in seven under 30s, a study of 2000 adults for the Co-operative, tracking three generations of people in their 20s, 40s and 60s, found.

Almost half of those over 60 had their first child before they were 25, compared with 11% of 21-30-year-olds.

Youngsters are more likely to have been abroad with parents before they were 20 or had a gap year abroad, compared with older people, the study showed.

David Magliano, director of brand at the Co-operative, said: "This fascinating research shines the spotlight on the various generations and shows how some things, like the age we get married, have changed while others, such as learning to drive, are almost constant."

The number of people passing their driving test or owning a car by the age of 25 was around two-thirds for all age groups.

William Nelson of the Future Foundation said: "This delay in getting into jobs, the housing market and having kids is now having knock-on effects right through life."