What's your Valentine's day secret?

Loved-up Brits who break the bank might be in danger of breaking hearts too if their partners find out what they have been up to.

Research conducted by price comparison site moneysupermarket.com revealed 27 per cent of Brits admit to spending behind their partners' backs, and nine per cent confess to being in secret debt.

Tim Moss, head of debt at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Valentine's Day could be heartbreaking for couples who have a secret spending habits and hidden debts. People must ensure they don't put their financial stability and relationships at risk through reckless spending."

Women tend to hide their spending on clothes(53 per cent), shoes and accessories(30 per cent) and their kids (33 per cent). However, men secretly spend on their hobbies (27 per cent), gambling (18 per cent) and nights out (15 per cent). Male spending on the sly averages £1,652 – almost double the average female spend of £899.

Of those nine per cent of Brits that hide debts from their loved ones, an average of £3,987 is owed. Men are in secret debt to a greater degree, owing £4,399 each – over £800 more than women who average £3,568.