Cambridgeshire MEP Richard Howitt joined British Heart Foundation staff and volunteers in Ely on Friday to urge the public to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts to help fund life-saving research.

More than six in ten (65 per cent) people receive at least one gift that they don’t want every Christmas, according to new research by East Anglian British Heart Foundation shops as they promote their annual Christmas gifts appeal.

The onesie came out top of the charts for people in the region, with 36 per cent admitting this would be their most unwanted gift.

Coming in at a close second was celebrity weight loss DVDs (33 per cent) followed by the Christmas jumper (nine per cent).

Other unwanted items include a celebrity cook book and socks.

Mr Howitt said: “I want to encourage people to donate these items to BHF shops so that unwanted Christmas gifts can help in the fight against heart disease.

“Heart disease is still the UK’s single biggest killer with 2.3 million people currently living with the devastating effects. Indeed there are 15,551 cardiovascular deaths per year in the East of England.

“Every penny of profit raised from BHF shops helps to fund vital, life-saving research into this deadly disease.

“The shop in Ely now offers a collection service but I joined them to call for more local drivers to volunteer to help.”