Academics at The University of Manchester estimate that producing a dinner for eight people generates 20kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

The ingredients included in the study were roast turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, vegetables, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and other accompaniments.

Researchers have assumed one third of the UK population eat this typical Christmas meal, meaning the nation generates the equivalent of 51,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Project leader Professor Adisa Azapagic said: "Food production and processing are responsible for three quarters of the total carbon footprint, with the largest proportion - 60% - being related to the life cycle of the turkey.

"This includes the emissions of carbon dioxide due to energy consumption along the turkey supply chain and the emissions of methane and nitrous oxide generated due to the agricultural activities to raise the turkey.

"All stages in the supply chain have been considered, including raising the turkey, growing the vegetables, food storage, consumer shopping, cooking the meal at home and waste management."

The cranberry sauce alone, normally imported from North America, contributes half the carbon footprint related to transport.

The research has been done as part of the Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle of Industrial Activities project at the University.

It was recently awarded a £1 million research grant to develop a comprehensive methodology and software tools for estimating the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from different industrial sectors in the UK.