Britons will transfer more than £3.2 billion of credit card debt balances this month and next as one of the debt solutions used to help ease their financial burdens, it has been claimed.

Such an amount will be moved in the first three months of 2010 by 4.5 million consumers who are seeking cheaper rates to save them money, according to research by Abbey.

The average sum will be £1,140, with the total being shifted falling from £2,290 a year ago, but the number of people looking to take advantage of introductory low rates increasing by a third.

Reflecting on the development, director at Santander Cards Emma Roberts said: "It's encouraging that so many Britons are planning to take control of their finances in the new year by transferring an outstanding credit card balance to a nought per cent deal."

Last month, head of media and public affairs at the Consumer Credit Counselling Service Frances Walker said it was only to be expected that people who couldn't afford their Christmas spending upfront will have resorted to spending on credit cards.