Pub customers appear to be modern day Christmas Scrooges when it comes to putting their hands in their pockets and buying a round, according to new research.

A poll by Pork scratching manufacturer Mr Porky found the most common fib to excuse ducking a round amongst a sample of 4,000 pub goers was: "I haven’t got any money on me".

Those that do find some cash in their pockets are likely to be suffering drinkers’ denial with the second most common lie, "this will be my last pint".

Perhaps unsurprisingly third and fourth in the list respectively were the lines "I’ll give you a ring" and "I’m on my way home".

1) I haven’t got any money on me

2) This will be my last pint

3) I’ll give you a ring

4) I’m on my way home

5) I bought the last round

6) I’ll give up smoking tomorrow

7) Oh, I’ve had this ages

8) You look lovely

By Chris Druce

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