Millions of Britons face pensioner poverty due to a �66bn savings 'black hole', according to a new survey.

Six out of ten Britons are saving too little to meet their expectations of a comfortable retirement, according to the Independent Financial Adviser Promotion (IFAP).

In fact, six out of ten people are saving a average of �2,263 too little per head this year alone, making �66bn in total.

Even more alarming, the IFAP survey of more than 4,000 adults suggested that a third of Britons are making no retirement provision at all.

Call to act now

Nearly half of people in full time employment make some kind of saving every month.

However, more than 50% of people have less than �1,500 squirreled away - barely the average monthly salary.

Only one in eight enjoy savings of more than �20,000.

As a result, the research suggests that 57% of people on average incomes are in danger of not being able to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in retirement.

Men tend to be more active savers than women - 42% of men say they save every month compared to 39% of women.

Commenting on the research results, IFAP chief executive David Elms told BBC News Online that people need to act now to avoid a savings crisis.

"It's vital that people start to take this situation seriously, since in ten, twenty and certainly thirty years time the state won't be bailing anyone out," he said.