€410 the average debt, €590 the average spend for Christmas

Half of shoppers expect to borrow money to get through the festive season, with €410 the average debt, a survey for credit unions has revealed.

The study also found consumers will spend €590, with parents splashing out an average of €185 on presents per child this Christmas, up €15 from last year.

The report for the Irish League of Credit Unions revealed the biggest spenders are in the three border counties and men will outspend women by €15.