NEARLY six million unwanted presents have been unwrapped in the Yorkshire and the Humber region this Christmas, it is claimed.

Some 5,820,080 unwanted gifts were handed out in the region, according to research for eBay. co.uk by ICM.

It is part of £4bn of wasted presents across the country.

The survey claimed that while most people expected to receive an average of seven presents each this Christmas, 30% of them were unwanted.

Spokesman for eBay, Richard Kanareck said:

"Whether it's the wrong colour, size, something you've already got or simply a gift you don't want, 're-homing' a present means it will find a new owner who will really appreciate it, as well as the opportunity to recoup some money in the process."

Meanwhile, other research from consumer group Which? found that 22% of people questioned believed it was too much trouble to take gifts back.