Sales of healthier low-fat crisps have doubled in the past two years, but the booming market for adult snacks is still dominated by Pringle's, tortilla chips and prawn crackers.

Other favourites are Twiglets - which have been around for more than 60 years - and Bombay mix.

Overall, adults are expected to spend £540m on snacks this year, up from £173m just five years ago.

Pringle's, living up to its "once you pop, you just can't stop" slogan is the top selling treat, expected to notch up sales of £195m this year.

The report by retail analysts Mintel, says the growth of snacks targeting adults began with the launch of the Phileas Fogg range in the 1980s.

Now two-thirds of adults regularly settle down in front of the TV and open a packet of titbits.

Other prime snacking times are at parties, in pubs or at the cinema.

Mintel analyst Gino Zisa said: "Trends show that health consciousness peaked in the UK in the early 1990s and may have actually declined in some respects since then.

"The adults snacks market is benefiting now, however, as consumers are allowing themselves indulgences as a reward for generally eating healthily."

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