Most City of London workers plan to quit their jobs within five years, mainly because of financial worries and fear of terrorism, according to a report out yesterday.

Younger workers will lead the "exodus", while older staff were least optimistic about jobs returning to the heart of the capital, the research discovered.

A survey of 400 workers by human resources consultants Chiumento showed three out of five would resign tomorrow if they could, mainly to jobs outside London.

Fewer than one in ten said they wanted to remain in their post.

Terrorism was seen to be the next biggest threat for City workers, although many of those questioned said they also worried about pensions and other financial issues.

Chiumento managing director Richard Chiumento said: "The situation in the City is even worse than we anticipated.

"The stark reality is City workers want out and City jobs will never return on the same scale.

"This represents an even bigger challenge for employers in terms of re-engaging and motivating stayers.

"Employers must think about the implications of a shrunken workforce."