Some of the UK’s most popular chocolates are now up to 25 per cent smaller but still cost the SAME

SHOCKING graphics reveal how Brits are paying more for less of our favourite chocolate - as bars have shrunk dramatically over the last five years.

The news comes ahead of shoppers stocking up on chocolate for Christmas, but these figures show how we're forking out more than ever for the same treats.

Data from the Office of National Statistics reveals how between 2,000 and 2500 food and drinks products have shrunk in size since 2012.

Snickers bars have shrunk by a whopping 17 per cent, down to just 45g from 58g.

And packets of Maltesers have seen a reduction of 15 per cent, weighing just over 100g now.

There's good news for Cadbury fingers fans though, who lost only two chocolate-covered biscuit fingers when the number in a packet was cut in 2015.

The already high price of cocoa butter jumped by 40 per cent last year and could be the reason for the rapidly-shrinking  treats.

Rather than increasing the price, many companies chose to reduce the size instead and keep the price the same.

MoneyGuru warn that this practise is totally legal though, and there is very little consumers can do about it.

Shoppers have already been left annoyed by Terry's Chocolate Oranges costing twice as much in some stores as they did last year - and they'll be even less pleased to hear that the product has shrunk by 10% since October.

And earlier this year, fans of the chocolate bar Freddo organised protests in Cardiff and London over the 20p rise in the price of the mini treat.

Despite the price hike, if you're getting chocolate for Christmas, a Sun Online investigation revealed you actually get more for your money if you buy chocolate separately rather than in an advent calendar.

The amount of chocolate in some calendars is only 70p worth, despite being flogged with a £2 price tag.