INSURANCE companies are preparing for claims from people injured in Christmas disasters over the next few weeks.

Spilt mulled wine, accidents involving Christmas tree lights and snow melting through leaky roofs and windows are among the problems companies are expecting to deal with.

Lloyds TSB Insurance said it expected to pay out more than £1m on Yuletide-related catastrophes.

Previous incidents involving insurance claims included sap from a Christmas tree leaking on to a carpet, ovens being damaged while turkeys were being cooked, and someone who put his foot through the attic roof while looking for decorations.