This follows from figures released by the recycling company Interseroh, but the Environment Agency warns that a significant portion of candles may be sold on the black market.

The huge amount of candles - almost twelve per capita in recent years and almost eight now - also poses an environmental problem, as candles used to account for 3% of total household waste.

However, mandatory candle recycling rules were put in place in 2008. About 5,870 tonnes of candles were sold last year, according to Environment Agency data, and 2,400 tonnes were recycled.