The Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) says Brits spent £3.26 billion online in November - a massive £4.57 million an hour, which is 45% higher than a year ago.

Spokesman James Roper said:

"The November values are in line with our earlier forecasts and confirm that we are likely to see a total of £7 billion being spent online by UK shoppers in the 10-week run-up to Christmas.

"Though no longer a surprise, growth of this magnitude is nevertheless breathtaking. In 2000, the first year in which the IMRG collected hard online sales data, Christmas trading was worth well under half a billion pounds, and we thought that was huge at the time.

"Now we can see that the e-retail market is just getting into its stride, with large potential for long-term growth."