£2.13 Billion Christmas Eve Rush in UK

Last minute shopping could see £1.5 million per minute being spent on Christmas Eve, according to research by Sainsbury's Bank.

The figures show that £380 million will be spent on credit cards, which may make it important to get the best credit card deals.

The survey shows that one million people are leaving their present buying until the December 24th, with those in the north-east, Yorkshire and Humberside most behind with their shopping.

Head of cards at Sainsbury's Bank Donald MacLeod said: "It looks like the shops are going to be busy on Christmas Eve as a lot of people intend to do a significant part of their shopping then. Our research would indicate that the overall spend in the Christmas Eve rush is going to be considerably up on last year's."

The Press Association reported that Saturday was the busiest shopping day so far this year, after a slow build-up to Christmas, with some shops in centres such as Brent Cross in London operating a 'one in, one out' system for customers.