One in four of Irish people is planning to leave the state to do some Christmas shopping.

It marks a 300% increase on last year.

A survey of 9,000 members of motoring group the AA, found that 12% were planning a trip to the north.

A further 5% were heading to other parts of the UK.

The AA says the weakness of Sterling could account for the figures.

Meanwhile, New York was the pre-Christmas destination for 1% of those surveyed.