A similar number felt such action was acceptable as part of a United Nations operation and just over two-thirds agreed with joining engagements led by NATO.

The online survey also found that 74% of people also believe that too little is being spent on equipping the country's armed forces. However, 68% thought the UK was investing too much in supporting the military activities of the US.

A majority- 53%- also agreed or strongly agreed that Britain was too small a country to be "policing the world."

The study also found:

45% thought it would be acceptable for the UK to be part of an EU operation

36% believed the UK should not concern itself with world affairs but should instead concentrate on domestic matters

76% thought it essential for the UK to work with other nations to solve problems such as hunger and climate change

39% believed the UK was sending too much aid to developing countries.     

The issuing of the survey, conducted by YouGov and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, follows the publication last week by the Ministry of Defence of a Green Paper identifying questions for the future of defence in advance of the Strategic Defence Review, to take place after this year's General Election.

Dr Robert Johns, a Lecturer in Strathclyde's Department of Government and co-director of the research, said: "We found significant support for a UN military operation, which would involve the US but which would also have the influence of many other nations. Conversely, participation in an operation with the US and a far smaller group of nations faced equally significant opposition.

"There is disagreement within the public about the appropriate role for Britain in the world.  This probably reflects a conflict between ambitions for Britain as a major player on the one hand, and the dangers of overstretching ourselves- especially given recent military action and the general financial situation- on the other."

Dr. Graeme Davies, a Lecturer in Leeds' Department of Politics and International Studies and co-director of the research, said: “The surprising finding was that people would rather fight alongside their EU partners or alone than they would fight with the United States.

"It seems that, since operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the British public are far more reluctant to involve themselves in US-led operations and even see EU military operations as a more appealing prospect."

YouGov surveyed 2,628 adults over the internet on 18-20 January.  The results presented in the study are based on data weighted to make the sample demographically representative of the British electorate.  In every case, the base number of respondents is 2,628.  Percentages may not sum to exactly 100 due to rounding.