Christmas can be a particularly bad time for arthritis sufferers, a new survey has found.

A study by biopharmaceutical company UCB found that a third of women who have rheumatoid arthritis said it severely hinders their enjoyment of the festive period.

The poll also discovered that such sufferers identify activities like shopping for presents, wrapping gifts, writing cards and catering among the hardest tasks to carry out while enduring the condition.

Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) find it difficult to join in celebrations due to the disease, while 44 per cent stated that they do not enjoy Christmas as much as they used to before they developed the problem.

Those with rheumatoid arthritis may find having an ultrasound device to hand over the period could help enhance their enjoyment of the festivities.

According to charity arthritis care, there are nine million people in the UK with the condition.