The economic downturn has failed to dent Britons' appetite for charitable giving, according to a study.

Research by financial services firm Foresters found the majority of people still plan to give to charity this year despite household finances taking a battering, reports Third Sector.

Some 89 per cent of the 2,000 British adults polled said they planned to donate this year and 90 per cent said they also gave in 2011.

Over half – 59 per cent – said they would give to medical charities, followed by children's charities (44 per cent), local community bodies (38 per cent) and animal charities (37 per cent).

Last year, over-65s proved to be the most generous, giving an average of £121, followed by those aged between 51 and 65 (£67).

Those in the 41-50 bracket gave an average of £66 and those in the 21-30 age group gave £47.

Stephen Dilworth, UK membership director of Foresters, told Third Sector: "It appears that even though 2012 is likely to be a tough year financially for many, people are still committed to supporting the causes they care about, which is excellent news for the numerous UK charities."

Posted by Cheryl Jackson-Leafield