85m parcels delivered damaged in the past year

SHOPPERS have taken delivery of four beaten-up parcels already in the past year - one more than the previous 12 months.

- Richard Jenkins

But the damaged goods, worth a typical £56, don't appear to be putting people off spending online, with nearly a third ordering at least once a week to their home or work.

A total of 85 million parcels in poor condition have been dropped off in the last year.

Food and drink or items for the house like glasses and crockery are the most likely to be damaged (15%).

Entertainment buys like games and books are next (13%), then health and beauty items (10%).

Some of the goods delivered in a shoddy state were worth more than £500.