New research highlights the true extent of the age-old income gap between men and women.

As part of the Alliance & Leicester's Quarterly Wealth Survey 2,000 UK adults were asked about their spending and investment habits.

The research found that women had 43% less disposable income than men.

After paying bills and making credit card repayments, on average the women surveyed were left with just �243 each month.

Men, on the other hand, had on average �421 to spend.

The difference between the sexes can be explained by the fact that women are more likely to be employed part-time.

In the UK part time workers earn on average 41% less an hour than their full time counterparts.

Risk takers

The survey also revealed men were more willing to take investment risks with their money.

Simon Ripton, product manager for investment at Alliance & Leicester said: "Men emerge as the biggest investors, while women tend to opt for the safer haven of the savings account."

When asked, men said they planned to invest 12% of their disposable income.

The figure for women - already recognised as being the more at risk of an impoverished retirement - was only 3%.

Borrowing bug

The survey found that across both sexes the borrowing bug continues to bite.

Overall, the amount that those surveyed planned to borrow next month was higher than for the same period last year - �67 compared with �49.

Men plan to lead the way into the red, looking to borrow �89 next month compared with �45 for women.