Brits collectively have £4.6 billion stashed away in savings accounts their partners have no idea about, new figures show.

Around 15 per cent of people over the age of 40 who live with their partner keep some of their savings hidden from them, Prudential revealed.

The average amount kept to one side stands at £1,037, with 23 per cent of those polled saying they keep it purely as a security measure in case they should separate from their partner.

One in ten do so because they are untrustworthy of someone else's decision making.

Vince Smith-Hughes, head of business development at Prudential, said: "While it is understandable that some people in relationships want to be able to spend their own money, it is important for couples to have regular and open discussions about financial planning."

He emphasised that this is especially important for anyone who is assessing how much money they will have in retirement.