Consumers in the UK buy more ready-made meals than any other major European country, according to a report published today.

Around £1.9 billion was spent on the meals in the UK last year - double French spending and six times more than in Spain.

While demand for ready-made meals across Europe rose by 29 per cent between 1998 and 2002, in the UK it soared by 44 per cent.

The report from market analysts Mintel looked at sales in five European countries - France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK.

It found 30 per cent of adults in the UK eat a ready-made meal more than once a week compared with just 16 per cent in France. A sign the UK has more of a convenience culture is shown by 80 per cent of the UK population owning a microwave oven while in Italy it is 27 per cent.

Mintel found sales of ready-made meals in the five countries was £4.7 billion last year.

The UK accounted for 42 per cent of all sales, ahead of France with 21 per cent, Germany (20 per cent), Italy (nine per cent), and Spain (seven per cent).

Ethnic meals are particularly popular, with Indian, Chinese and other Asian recipes making up 40 per cent of the chilled ready-made market. Mintel said the ready-made meal was now a premium, indulgent option in the UK.