British parents have forked out a staggering £136 million to cover domestic damage caused by teen parties in the last five years, new figures claim.

Almost half of all teenagers have thrown parties and nearly 45 per cent of these celebrations have got out of control resulting in damage to the parental home – on average £132 per property, according to research by Zurich Insurance.

Carpets are the most common target of destruction with 35 per cent decorated with wine and food spillages, while 22 per cent of sofas, curtains and other soft furnishings also bear the brunt of teen parties.

One in ten parents have also discovered garden damage after a adolescent soiree.

"Teenage parties are a fact of life for most parents, and while they always seem to start off small, everyone knows someone who has returned home to a gathering that has got that little bit out of hand," said Martin Hall, head of home underwriting at Zurich Insurance.

"Most insurers' buildings cover extends to basic mishaps such as broken windows, but it might also be worth extending the protection for contents to include accidental damage cover for things like stained carpets and damage to furniture, so that you are well prepared for any exuberant guests."