Why do women love hitting the shops when most men have to be dragged there kicking and screaming? As Christmas approaches, JENNY SCOTT asked a few couples for their views. . .

WITH just six weeks to Christmas, women are already making lists, planning presents and hitting the shops.

Men, on the other hand, dislike shopping at the best of times and seem to want to go into hibernation as Christmas approaches.

A new survey suggests 80 per cent of menswear sold in Britain is actually purchased by women for men.

And if men are so bad at buying things for themselves, they're unlikely to splash out on gifts for other people.

While some celebrity male shoppers such as David Beckham and Rod Stewart are trying to buck the trend, there's no doubt most of East Lancashire's boyfriends and husbands remain entrenched in their "bah humbug" ways.

Simon Barker, 17, a student at Blackburn College, is just one of a number of men who admit to hating Christmas.

"To be honest," he said, "I'm normally all right at shopping.

"But it's just Christmas I don't like.

"I enjoy getting presents from other people, but I don't like buying things for them."

Simon's girlfriend, Alison Hughes, 17, a student at St Wilfrid's Sixth Form College in Blackburn, said she hadn't been going out with Chris long enough to judge how good he was at choosing presents, but she would be dropping hints about what she'd like for Christmas.

It's no good dropping hints, though, if your man refuses to go shopping in the first place.

Suzanne Thompson, 50, from Wheelton, has just that problem.

"I end up doing all the Christmas shopping," she said. "My husband Peter doesn't buy anything for anybody else -- or for me!

"All he's interested in at Christmas is having a good feed, a sleep and then going back to work.

"I think it's maybe my generation that has got used to doing all the running around while the men can just sit there and take it easy.

"Perhaps in years to come men will be more enlightened!"

Sadly, it would appear not -- as 21-year-old Dave Walker, from Accrington, testifies.

"I just don't like spending money," said Dave, a retail worker.

"I'm quite good at buying myself clothes, but I don't like buying people presents at all."

"I'll have to try to coax him into buying something for me for Christmas," said Dave's girlfriend, Emily Hubbard , a student.

"We haven't been going out that long, but so far he's bought me two drinks and a kebab."

"I just don't think men like shopping -- not like us women," said 30-year-old Hazra Shah, from Blackburn, who says she ends up choosing clothes for her husband and her brothers.

"But they can be quite thoughtful, sometimes.

"Last year my husband bought me a gold necklace as a surprise."

And there are always exceptions to the rule. Colin Smith, 39, was visiting Blackburn from Turkey with his wife Afsaheh.

He said: "I love Christmas shopping," he said.

"I enjoy buying things more at that time of year than at any other.

"I like buying stuff for the children and having a good look around at all those things I can't afford!"