Britons could have their friends and family to blame when it comes to being forced to apply for a bad credit home loan, new research from PayPal suggests.

Far from providing advice and support, some £26 billion has been lent to friends and family in the past year alone, the firm's study has found.

And, as a result, almost ten million people in the UK have fallen out with their loved ones over such matters.

"Everyone will, I'm sure, have either borrowed or lent out money to friends and family, often on the spur of the moment, however as the study has shown these potentially small amounts of money can soon add up," warned PayPal UK spokesperson Cristina Hoole.

"On average we're each owed almost £900 and with Christmas just round the corner perhaps we should be looking to call in some of those unpaid loans rather than relying on credit to see us through," Ms Hoole added.

The total personal debt mountain in the UK currently stands at a collective £1.4 trillion.

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