New research has revealed the nation will be forced to scale back on their Christmas grocery shopping for the second year in a row.

During the festive season, Britons struggle to juggle their regular essential bills with the expense of presents and everything else that comes along with Christmas.

In order to keep a lid on costs, Brits are being forced to trim back their grocery shopping bills.

This year we'll all be spending an average of £125 on yuletide food and drink – 15 per cent less than last year (£143) and under half the amount they were able to be spend in 2011 (£264), according to research from VoucherCodes.co.uk.

Shoppers in east anglia are cutting back the most, spending £25 less than the national average (£100) while those in the North East will be splashing out the most on festive treats with the average Christmas grocery price tag of £147; however, this is still almost 44 per cent or £120 less than the national average in 2011 (£264).

The 45-54 age group are the most extravagant shoppers with an average spend of £178 this year in comparison to the 18-24 age group spending close to 50 per cent less with an average spend of £98.