Teenage lifestyle costs £9,000 a year

THE lifestyle of a British teenager costs £9,000 a year, research shows.

A study of the spending habits of young people suggests most own iPods, laptops, televisions and DVD players. They spend more than £1,000 a year on mobile phones, MP3 players and downloads, £240 on haircuts and £300 on trainers. They also fork out for nights out and expensive clothes.

Andrew Williams, a spokesman for the study, conducted on behalf of the Office for National Statistics, said teenagers faced "a perfect financial storm" as their expensive lifestyle coincides with recession, diminished parental spending power and fewer employment options.