London, Jan 30 : Almost half of shoppers in Britain buy clothes a size too small in the hope of losing weight until they fit, according to a survey.

The Diet Chef study of 957 adults revealed that people spent between 350 pounds and 1,040 pounds each on the unused garments, which typically include at least 10 tops, three pairs of trousers, two dresses, two shirts, a skirt and a bikini, the Daily Express reported.

The result is that Britain's wardrobes are full of under-sized clothes that are never worn.

"It's great that the optimist in all of us believes they can lose weight in order to make use of all these clothes that we're hoarding," Kevin Dorren, the founder of Diet Chef said.

Twenty per cent of clothes in the average wardrobe were found to be up to two sizes too small.

More than 80 per cent of those surveyed said they aimed to diet and exercise to fit into their clothes.

Almost a quarter of people questioned said they were aiming to lose at least two stone. (ANI)