Third Of Brits In Debt Over Xmas Shopping

Almost a third of people in the UK will borrow money to pay for presents and celebrations this Christmas.

The survey showed 31% will use overdrafts, credit cards and personal loans from family and friends to get through the holiday season.

Of that group, 58% will spend more than average on their credit cards.

The research also found that one in 10 Britons will lose control of their Christmas spending, even as another recession looms.

And with 44% of the nation in debt already - that is something many people can not really afford to do.

Delroy Corinaldi from the Consumer Credit Counselling Service said: "People are really seeing their household incomes stretched, we would say to them: 'Think twice before spending on things you can ill-afford, do not go into the red on credit cards and make sure it's not something you will not find you are struggling with come 2012.'"

One shopper in Slough, Berkshire told Sky News: "I'll probably just put everything on the credit card just to get through Christmas to be honest - so it might be quite difficult."

Another said: "We've decided we're not going to go over the top like we normally do and leave ourselves short for the New Year, so we've cut right back this Christmas."

The figures come from a YouGov survey commissioned by banking software company Intelligent Environments.