According to a new study, clothes, shoes, sports clubs and presents mean the average parent will part with around £2,774 for each child every single year.

Driving lessons and help with buying a first car add another £1,648 to the figure which totals £51,575 from birth until the age of 18.

Andy Oldham, managing director at cashback site Quidco, said: “Everyone expects children to leave a dent in your pocket, but it’s staggering to actually see the figures in front of you.

“You always think about things like clothes, school uniform and sports clubs costing a small fortune but there are so many other things that mean you have to open your wallet.

“Things like the petrol to ferry your children around and pocket money all leave a hole in your bank balance.

“As for birthday and Christmas gifts, these are only likely to get more extravagant and expensive as the children get older and go from wanting a small toy to computer consoles and top-of-the-range gadgets to keep up with their friends.

“If parents are feeling the pinch, you need to save money in every possible way.”

The study revealed that the biggest chunk of cash is spent on sports clubs and after-school activities – to the tune of £843 a year, or more than £15,000 over the entire childhood.