People of faith donate over twice as much to charity as the non-religious, according to figures from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

The results of CAF's 2011 Market Tracker Report shows that the average amount given to charity by those who are religious was £576 over the previous twelve months, compared to the £235 contributed by those of no faith. However, only 31 per cent of religious donors had given money to a religious activity.

The split across the other causes tended to be more in line with the rest of the population, 68 per cent donating to medical charities and 48 per cent to overseas aid, which were also the two most popular choices for those of no faith.

CAF’s report asked 507 donors giving at least £50 to charity a year a variety of questions about their charitable habits.

CAF director of research Richard Harrison commented: "These results not only show that those of faith are more generous to charity in general, but that their giving is not uniquely focused on their own religious activities.

"If anything, people of faith broadly give in line with the rest of the general public - to a variety of different appeals.”