NEARLY 450,000 people in the south west plan to buy a car within the next six months, spending about £8,544 each, according to Sainsbury's Bank's car buying index.

The bank says about £11.68 billion of the £52 billion to be spent on cars nationwide in the next six months will be financed through loans.

Research for the bank on another topic burglary, reveals that the fear of being burgled has made 1.7 million homeowners install a camera on their property and more than two million have fitted a gate to keep burglars at bay.

One in five have put prickly plants near access points in their gardens and 730,000 homeowners have put up a 'beware of the dog' sign when they don't have a dog.

Robert O'May, insurance manager at the bank, said: "Many thieves are opportunists looking for easy wins and by taking simple actions many homeowners can help to protect their valuables from these criminals."

The research reveals that 83 per cent of homeowners leave lights on when going out, 41 per cent leave a TV or radio on and 12 per cent leave a vacuum cleaner out and plates in the sink.