Unlucky-in-love Britons are buying their own gifts this Valentine's Day, with lonely hearts across Liverpool likely to send themselves a romantic treat.

"DIY cupids" will buy themselves a present on February 14 to avoid embarrassment in front of loved-up friends, a survey has revealed.

A national poll of 3,000 single people by John Greed Jewellers found that one in five were planning to send themselves chocolates or flowers due to a lack of love.

The survey found that people in Birmingham are the most concerned at appearing unloved with almost half admitting to buying a card or present for themselves, while 24% of those surveyed in Liverpool admitted planning to spoil themselves, followed by 19% in Leeds.

In contrast just 7% of those questioned in Manchester were planning to buy their own gift on Valentine's Day.

But most of those who admitted their Valentine's Day secret said they will only send a card.

John Greed, from John Greed Jewellery, said: "Last year we saw a number of women buy themselves jewellery in the run up to Valentine's Day and it got us thinking that there must be a large group of people, especially those who are single or have an unromantic partner, who buy their own Valentines gift.

"We surveyed our customer base and were astonished that over one in five had resorted to buying themselves their own gift."