Almost a quarter of buyers will be moving into their new home between now and Christmas, according to a new survey.

Alliance & Leicester said that 22 per cent of people will be getting settled into a new property before December 25th, with more than half saying that despite the costs associated with moving, it had not put undue pressure on their festive budgets.

One in ten people questioned by the firm confided that they saved ahead of time to make sure they could afford Christmas, with a further 10 per cent saying they planned to cut back on their festive spending.

Stephen Leonard, director of mortgages at Alliance & Leicester, said: "It can feel like a rush to get the family settled and the new furniture ordered before December 25th.

"But it is very encouraging to see many people are planning ahead to budget for their moving costs and saving in advance to ensure it doesn''t have a big impact on their Christmas," he commented, adding that the strategies are the "key to a less stressful move".

Last month, Susan Hannums, savings manager for independent financial adviser AWD Chase de Vere, said that forward planning for Christmas spending is essential.