~ PlusNet’s festive top ten websites shows online retailers amongst most popular sites accessed on the big day ~

UK bargain hunters got online early this year with many accessing the internet on Christmas Day to snap up the best seasonal sales deals.

This is according to research by Sheffield-based Internet Service Provider PlusNet, which analysed web usage and traffic on Christmas Day.

The Marks & Spencer and Argos websites featured in PlusNet’s top ten most popular internet sites accessed, with traffic peaking at around 10pm.

Social networking sites Bebo and Facebook also proved a big hit on Christmas Day as people opted to get online with friends and family to wish them season’s greetings.

YouTube also benefited with people looking to access the Queen’s speech online for the first time.

Those looking for technical support for new technology helped Apple and Microsoft also make the PlusNet Top Ten.

“The shops may be shut but the internet is always open,” said Neil Armstrong, products director at PlusNet. ”Christmas Day internet usage shows that there is no day of rest for the British bargain hunter with many unable to wait until Boxing Day to bag the best deal.”

The full PlusNet Christmas Day Top Ten Sites were:

Google
BBC
YouTube
Facebook
Bebo
Apple
Argos
Wikipedia
Microsoft
Marks & Spencer