Nearly four in 10 people know the balance of their current account to the nearest £5, as the squeeze on finances and the rise in internet banking has bred a "generation of compulsive bank balance checkers", research has found.

People become cash-strapped 17 days after payday on average, but one in 10 consumers said their finances come under pressure within a week of receiving their monthly salary, Halifax's survey said.

More than one in five (21%) said they check their bank balance at least once a day, and a further 22% take a look more than three times a week.

While 38% of people surveyed knew their balance to the nearest £5, a further 23% knew how much they had to the nearest £20.

Only one in 20 people said they know their current account balance to the nearest £500.

Anthony Warrington, director of current accounts at Halifax, said: "With mobile banking apps and internet banking, it's much easier to stay on top of spending and account activity whilst on the move."

The survey of 2,020 people concluded: "Money concerns and belt tightening are breeding a generation of compulsive bank balance checkers."

Households have come under pressure from high living costs and low pay rises, and while inflation has shown signs of easing they are expected to be hit further by deteriorating employment conditions.

Recent research has indicated that cautious households are trying to pay down their debts and use their own cash rather than taking on more credit.

A report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) published this week found that UK families are typically £7,900 in debt from personal loans, overdrafts and credit cards, despite three years of paying them down.

The report predicted consumers will continue their determination to pay down their debts, owing around £7,500 by next year.