A survey by German discount grocer Aldi has found that the average UK family spent an extra £500 in August, adding more pressure to already overstretched purses.

The survey, carried out by OnePoll for Aldi, found that families had to fork out more in August for additional costs including day trips, extra expenditure on food and drink, childcare, school uniforms and sports clubs. This added more than£500 to the usual household budget.

Aldi managing director of UK group buying Tony Baines said: “The survey results were quite revealing, especially combined with July year-on-year sales data showing that savvy families have saved significantly by shopping with us.”

Footfall at Aldi was up 32 per cent in July and sales soared 44 per cent for the month.

Baines added: “By shopping in Aldi – just for August – families save the£200 cost for day trips and shopping with us over three months, save the£500 extra that August costs. Families who switch now will be more than£500 better off for Christmas.”