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Young boys are being given more pocket money than girls for household chores and good behaviour, a new study that suggests the gender pay gap starts at home has found.

Boys on average receive £6.99 for carrying out household chores, while girls can expect to get £4.67, the survey carried out by Santander showed.

And girls are also rewarded with a more modest sum for displaying good behaviour, receiving £4.18 on compared to an average £8.28 payment to boys.

Nearly a third, or 32 per cent, of parents said they pay their children to complete household chores while 18 per cent reward good behaviour at school, the survey found.

Youngsters who step out of line or fail to carry out their duties can also expect to be "fined" by their parents.

Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of parents take money away for failing to complete household chores and 15 per cent will dock money from piggy banks for bad behaviour at school.

When children were asked what motivated them to complete household chores, money was found to be by far the biggest incentive, above chocolate and crisps, being praised or being able to stay up longer.

The research, which highlighted Santander's 123 mini current account for children and young people, involved a survey of more than 500 people including parents as well as children aged five to 15 years old.