People in Swindon eat more than 5,000 chocolate bars in their lifetime, according to new figures from the British Heart Foundation.

The charity says the average person in the south west will eat 5,560 chocolate bars, 1,580 slices of chocolate cake and 8,630 chocolate biscuits over the course of their life.

Statistics go even further suggesting that the average person will indulge in 2,900 mugs of hot chocolate, 120 Easter eggs and up to 2,850 miniature chocolates.

These figures have been released ahead of the BHF’s annual dechox campaign which aims for people to avoid chocolate throughout March while raising money for the charity.

Dechox campaign manager Jo Pullin said: “We know we’re a nation of chocolate lovers and that’s why we’re calling on the nation to put their will power to the test this March for a fantastic cause. Anything with cocoa in it is off-limits – from the sprinkles on your cappuccino, to that 3pm chocolate bar.”

To sign up visit bhf.org.uk/dechox

The BHF also revealed that Snickers and Cadbury Dairy Milk were the South West's favourite chocolate bars.

The top 10 is:

1= Snickers and Cadbury Dairy Milk

3= KitKat Chunky and Bounty

5 Toblerone

6 Aero Mint

7 Twirl

8= Twix and Galaxy Ripple

9= Cadbury Fruit & Nut and Double Decker