Christmas shopping is bad for your health according to a new report.

And people in East Lancashire are likely to complain of more headaches than the average Christmas shopper.

A Royal Mail survey has revealed more than 14 million people in the UK are suffering with a range of complaints brought on by Christmas shopping

More than a quarter, 27 per cent, of Christmas shoppers reported headaches but for the North West this increased to 31 per cent.

Nationally nearly one million claimed to have stomach aches, one in five admitted to losing their temper and 40 per cent said they felt irritated whilst doing their shopping.

A controlled experiment carried out by Royal Mail also revealed that high street shopping took six times longer than online shopping and led to the shopper's heart rate doubling, although they are unable to pinpoint the exact reason why people in East Lancashire suffer more.

Separate research conducted by Panadol reveals that when people are suffering from a headache they make many more mistakes which further raises their stress and irritation.

Researchers say people across East Lancashire ought not to be surprised if they get the wrong presents because headaches increase mistakes by 50 per cent.

A spokesman said: "Recent research found pain, such as a headache, disrupts a person's performance in simple tasks - which doesn't bode well for mums trying to remember which Lord of the Rings character their child wants, what goes in a Christmas cake and what their credit card limit is."

In the countdown to Christmas the Lancashire Evening Telegraph hit Blackburn town centre to ask yuletide spenders whether they loved or loathed the ritual retail madness.

Mark Howllings, a 29-year old joiner from Blackburn, said: "When town is at its busiest Christmas shopping can be such a nightmare. When it gets too irritating I like to get home, watch a video and flop on the settee."

Lynne Hayward, a 48-year old shop assistant from Blackburn, said: "I don't find Christmas shopping perilous at all. I doesn't bother me really. It's usually a good experience, although it does have its mad moments."

Jared Eyers, 30, from Walton Street, Colne, said: "I find it painful! It's very frustrating when you can't get into shops because they are so crowded and everyone is pushing their way around. It certainly gives me a headache!

Deborah Eyers, 26, from Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn, said: "Taking the kids shopping with you is the worst thing for stress levels! A cup of tea always makes me feel better, but I also get through plenty of paracetamol around Christmas."

Adam Piotrowski, a 17-year-old student from Oswaldtwistle, said: "I enjoy Christmas shopping. I don't know what all the fuss is about. After a long day shopping it's nice to go home, wind down and snuggle up with my girlfriend."

Louise Plevey, a 17-year old student from Rockcliffe Street, Blackburn, said: "I do love Christmas shopping, but occasionally I feel myself getting irritated when it's too crowded to get to where you want to go. It can be quite frustrating."