A British survey shows that the Big Apple is all set for for big bargains on Christmas shopping.

Some items in New York, including jeans, toys and toiletries, are up to 55 per cent cheaper than in London, according to a UK Post Office poll revealed.

A Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear toy costing £50 in London is just £24.27 in New York, while a pair of Levi’s 501s set Londoners back £50 but are just £22.29 in New York.

The survey also showed that a 50ml Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream costing £23 in London would be £11.79 in New York.

Bargain-hunters are helped by the fact that the duty-free allowance for UK citizens travelling from the US to the UK rose earlier this year from £340 to £390.

But the survey also showed that, while fashion items are invariably cheaper in New York than in London, prices for perfumes and beauty products are often higher.

The Post Office’s head of travel money, Sarah Munro, said: “The duty-free allowances now mean holidaymakers can bring back higher-priced gifts like the Apple iPad.

“Remember too that additional savings can be made by shopping in stores like Bloomingdales and Macys, which offer a 10 per cent discount to UK visitors to offset the 8.8 per cent New York sales tax.”

She added: “There are great savings to be made in New York provided that shoppers have done their homework in advance and don’t assume that everything will be cheaper.

“Although most items are cheaper, the savings vary and we did find examples of popular Christmas gifts that were more expensive in New York. So it will pay to check carefully before splashing the cash.”