Fresh fruit hampers could be the perfect choice for anyone hoping to put a smile on someone's face.

According to research by Sainsbury's, bananas, apples and oranges are in the list of top ten foods that provide most pleasure per penny.

While chocolate featured in women's rankings, fruit appears to be a more affordable way of cheering a person up as it generates more happiness relative to cost.

And psychologist Chireal Shallow, commenting on the results, highlighted the importance of food in "enabling us to live the life we desire".

"It's great to see so many healthy foods giving the nation the most pleasure for its pennies," she added.

Bananas and apples were the fruits highest on the list and consumers were given another reason to include the popular items in fruit hampers earlier this week.

Research by Wageningen Uninversity in the Netherlands found eating plenty of fruits with white flesh can protect against stroke.