European internet retailers are set to cash in this Christmas as shoppers almost double their online spending, according to a new report.

The report, from market monitors Forrester Research, forecasts that European online sales over the festive season will rise to 7.6bn euros (�4.7bn ; $7.6bn) from just 4bn euros last year.

The UK is expected to lead the online shopping spree, with sales there forecast to reach 2.6bn euros (1.7bn euros), followed by Germany with 2.2bn euros.

The report makes encouraging reading for the online retail sector, which was largely written off when the dot.com bubble burst two years ago.

The image of online retailers - dubbed 'e-tailers' - was tarnished in particular by the high-profile collapse of online fashion retailer boo.com in May 2000.

Relax

The report suggests that consumers have become more comfortable with the concept of online shopping, and are more relaxed about giving out their credit card details over the internet.

Worries about online security issues have been seen as a major obstacle to the wider take-up of internet shopping.

According to Forrester, 19% of European adults now shop online, up from just 14% last year.

European online shoppers' average budget has also risen, climbing to 527 euros from 374 euros last year - an increase of 40%.

The figures do not include net-influenced sales, where shoppers research goods online before buying them over the counter.

Forrester said the number of consumers who make net-influenced purchases has risen by a third to 41 million in the past year.