New research has revealed Britons spend more on online shopping each year than any other country.

According to a global study by communications regulator Ofcom, Brits splash out more than £1,000 annually over the web.

The amount shot up to £1,083 last year compared with £950 in 2010, putting the UK at the top of the rankings.

Australians came second with £842 per head, while Sweden was third with £747 spent on online purchases.

Ofcom's director of research James Thickett commented: "We have a long history of catalogue shopping in the UK and as many daily activities are increasingly carried out online, the internet has become the new destination for many shoppers."

The rise in the number of people who have smartphones and tablets is thought to be behind the increase in online shopping.

One sixth (16 per cent) of all website traffic in the UK was on a mobile, tablet or other connected device, putting Britain ahead of any other country in Europe.