THE TILLS will be ringing out for shops in Southampton as residents boost the UK economy this festive season.

It’s set to be a jolly holiday this year with statistics showing each person in the city will be splashing out almost £400 on Christmas.

And 79 per cent of people have said they feel more positive heading into the festive season this year than they have in the past decade.

These figures come after hotel giant Travelodge quizzed 2,000 people across the country in a bid to find the most generous city.

The amount people in Southampton are spending is almost £100 more than last year.

Included in that shopping spree is £100 spent on entertaining and 11 presents costing an average of £23.63 each.

But it doesn’t put the city anywhere near the top of the generosity league.

Daily Echo:

Julie Smith and mum Sue Draper get a head start on their shopping

In Wrexham, Wales, the average spend per person is £590 and in Sheffield it is more than £570.

Southampton shoppers weren’t surprised by the results, with some saying they would spend more.

Mother and daughter duo from Southampton Debbie Jones and Jessica McNie were out getting a head-start on their shopping.

Debbie said: “I spend a lot of money at Christmas. I have three daughters who are all in love with the high street stores so I tend to buy them lots of clothes, and then there is the rest of the family. But it’s a great time of year and it all makes people happy.”

Daily Echo:

Debbie Jones and Jessica McNie with their shopping

According to the survey, people will spend an average of £23 per gift and buy 11 presents before paying at least £100 on the food shop and spending 28 hours preparing for the day itself.

Although Southampton is one of the lowest spending cities, Britain’s festive cheer will boost the economy by £13m.