New research has found many Britons are planning to spend as much as a third of their salary on Christmas presents this year.

A study conducted by financial website Fool.co.uk found people typically spend as much as £27 each on family members and friends.

However, head of personal finance at Fool.co.uk David Kuo warned Christmas shoppers of the dangers of relying upon credit cards to fund their festivities.

"Nobody wants to be seen as Ebenezer Scrooge. But without proper budgeting January could be haunted by the ghost of Christmas past with credit providers tucking into our leftovers with some relish," he said.

Recently, savings manager for AWD Chase de Vere Susan Hannums warned a large number of Britons would depend on credit for their Christmas spending.

However, she warned the festive season could be "worrying" for those struggling with debt and urged them to limit their spending and be imaginative instead of extravagant with their gifts.