It conjures images of stockpiling a vast hoard of food and water in a bunker far underground.

But an expert has revealed the real skills you need to survive an apocalyptic scenario – and they might not be what you expect.

Kezia Barker, of Liverpool John Moores University, says the plans of a stereotypical 'doomsday prepper' won't help you last long if and when the world falls apart.

Instead, Dr Barker says there are a few key skills that you can take up as a hobby now to help you survive the end of the world.

A stockpile of food might buy you time, and a big bag of survivalist tools is only useful if you have the expertise.

That's why Dr Barker suggests spending your time learning useful skills like bushcraft, foraging, food growing and preserving skills instead.

And surprisingly, even the humble art of spoon carving could be more helpful than hoarding.

Dr Barker, an expert on the public's response to environmental insecurity, has spent a lot of time studying online prepper communities.

In these forums, groups of doomsday-fearing survivalists discuss the supplies and strategies they need to outlast the end of society.

Alongside debates over the best bunker designs, members often discuss their so-called 'zombie apocalypse skills'.

These are the capabilities they would bring to a post-apocalyptic world to ensure the survival of themselves and their 'MAG' (mutual assistance group).

However, you don't need to become a full-blown doomsday prepper to start building the skills, and some may even prove useful if the world doesn't end.

Dr Barker told the Daily Mail: 'Being resourceful, adaptable, a jack-of-all-trades is actually the most useful skill. To develop this, it would be learning first aid skills.

'This both gives you the first aid basic medical skills itself, but crucially staying calm in an emergency, taking in the environment and situation, and then prioritising your actions.

'It's also one of those skills that's essential even if the apocalypse never comes.'

Of course, if the end of days ever does come, one of the biggest problems will be how to keep yourself fed.