Payment clearing service APACS says the average Brit bought around 18 items online last year, pushing the amount spent over the Internet up to £22 billion, from £16 billion in 2004.

The popularity of eBay is one of the main reasons behind the growth in online spending.

APACS spokeswoman Sandra Quinn said:

"The Internet is now very much part of mainstream culture in the UK, and for many people it is the first port of call when looking for certain items to buy.

"In 2005, for the first time, more than half of all adults made an online purchase, which demonstrates this increasingly important role the Internet is playing in the lives of UK consumers."