Some families are spending vast sums this Christmas on presents they can often ill afford.

Now sociology student Lucia Glover has looked at why they are doing it and who suffers the most.

Lucia, who studies at Sussex University, found younger people are the more relaxed about present buying.

Middle class mums feel the most stress, while many working class mums get into debt through being generous.

Some working mothers buy expensive gifts to compensate for the time they miss with their families.

It is a shame there should be so much angst involved for many people in what should be pleasurable - both for the giver and the recipient.

For many families in Sussex, guilt is part of giving and it does not have to be that way.