Brits who get regular financial advice save more than those who go it alone with their finances, a new survey finds.

People aged between 26 and 65 who do not regularly seek professional financial advice are a third less likely to build up their savings account than those who do, according to a survey by Standard Life.

Almost three quarters of the 1,500 people surveyed did not have a continuing relationship with a financial expert.

Around a third of those questioned also believed that they had saved less this year than they did in the year before.

Simon Douglas, managing director of marketing at Standard Life, said that money people are putting themselves at a disadvantage by not seeking professional advice or setting money aside.

"But looking ahead people appear more optimistic. People are positive about saving in the future with 36 per cent expecting to save more in the next year.

"Yet two thirds of those in their mid-forties and onwards are not getting financial advice, at a time in their lives when many are starting to accumulate wealth," he said.