CUSTOMERS could cut a third off their Christmas shopping bill by using the internet to buy presents, research claimed today.

More than 16 million adults who have never used the web will miss out on a potential é6 billion of savings over the festive season, it was estimated.

According to UK online centres, a government initiative aimed at getting more people logged on, nearly half of these people claim they have no need to use the internet.

Out of 10 popular gifts compared by the group, the biggest saving was on a Fuji digital camera, which was é200 cheaper online than on the high street.

Games

The new Football Manager 2005 computer game was available for half-price at é17.99, while Britney Spears Greatest Hits was é6 cheaper at é8.99.

Colin Middlemiss, spokesman for UK online centres, said: "Christmas traditionally pulls at the purse strings, so it's a real shame that so many people are unaware of the major savings offered by the internet."

UK online centres was set up in 2001 when the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) noticed the growing gap between those with a computer and those without.

DfES now has more than 6,000 centres providing computer access in libraries, community centres and schools.