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The trend in consumers' computer usage has been recognised by the UK's industry as spending on advertising online has overtaken that spent on mainstream TV in the UK, underlining how important the internet has become to companies and consumers. The amount spent on online ads in Britain reached £2.8 billion last year, representing a 40 per cent increase from the year before.

Ofcom's figures, also show that ads online rose

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to an impressive 19 per cent of all money spent on advertising in Britain.

While time spent by Britons watching TV rose by two minutes - from 216 minutes per week in 2006 to 218 minutes per week at the end of last year - the proportion of people watching their TV online - through services such as BBC iPlayer or 4-on-demand - grew.

The percentage of people with an internet connection watching TV online more than doubled to 17 per cent. 32 per cent watched video clips on sites such as YouTube, compared to the 21 per cent in 2006.

And, while average household expenditure on communications fell slightly, Ofcom reckons that was due to customers' buying behaviour maturing. In addition to bundled services and broadband bargains driving down prices, more consumers are shopping around or switching providers to get better deals.

"We are spending more and more time with our communications devices but spending less on them," said Peter Phillips, Ofcom's strategy and market development partner.