People are turning to chocolate to cheer themselves up as the recession deepens, it has been revealed.

Chocolate sales are 80% up on last year's figures at upmarket department store Selfridges in London. Consumers are increasingly splashing out on chocolate as an “affordable luxury”, with the store also reporting a 30% sales increase in other confectionery.

A Selfridges spokeswoman said: “We have seen a big increase in people buying chocolate in the store.

“I think this can be put down to people trying to cheer themselves up with everything that's going on at the moment.

“Chocolate is an affordable luxury, it doesn't cost a huge amount and makes people feel better.”

Selfridges have heralded their new ranges of Easter chocolate eggs and bunnies by dressing a life-size shop mannequin entirely in chocolate.

The bunny girl ports a figure-hugging milk chocolate swim suit, white chocolate bunny ears, chocolate shoes, cuffs and a bow tie.

The arresting site has already attracted much attention.

“We've already had a number of men asking if the can buy her, but she's definitely not for sale,” the spokeswoman said.

Although the chocolate outfit should stay in place on the mannequin, it would prove a messy mistake if anyone tried to wear it.

The spokeswoman said: “It's chocolate. It would melt.”