COUPLES in Huddersfield are spending less and less on each other for Valentine’s Day, the Examiner can reveal – and most partners actually see this as a good thing.

New research shows that more than half (52%) of people in Yorkshire will spend less than £10 on their partner today.

We Tykes are still more romantic, and generous, than the country as a whole though.

But our efforts are often in vain.

A massive 81% of those in Yorkshire would prefer to receive no gift and instead know their partner is being careful with their finances, well above the national average of 76%.

Elaine Connolly, manager of Thornton’s in the Piazza Centre in Huddersfield, estimated that Valentine’s trade was ‘a little bit down’ on last year.

But she said: “I think that’s because people are a more health-conscious.

“Our most popular item is the £10 box, so I suppose that’s about the amount people want to spend.”

Elsewhere in the town centre, trade was brisk in the card shops and in the florists.

Price comparison website – thecomparisons.com questioned 1,005 people in the UK on their Valentine’s spending plans.

The findings also show that older people are either less bothered about February 14, or just more prudent than younger generations.

Three-quarters of those in the 55-64 age group said they would spend less than £10 on their partner, as opposed to only 41% of 18-24 year olds.

The tightest region was surprisingly the wealthy South-East.

Men were more generous than women, with twice as many prepared to spend between £50 and £100 on a gift.

Chris McDonald, director of the site, said: “As the research shows, at £9.99, the price of love is not very high!

“People are either planning to shop around and get a great bargain this Valentine’s Day, or are actively shunning it.”