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Brits throw away almost 7 million (6.7) disastrous photos a year costing a staggering £30 million (£26.8) in wasted camera film, according to the latest research from Lexmark International.

The survey of 1,500 Brits, to celebrate the launch of Lexmark's new range of photo printers, reveals our photography habits and the current photography trends.

Waste not, want not
The survey shows that the average Brit discards 15 photos per year. The top five reasons for doing so are:

1. To destroy embarrassing or unflattering photos - 42%
2. To erase an ex (friend, lover, spouse) from your life - 21%
3. Because of poor quality / over exposure - 19%
4. The photo subject is just plain boring - 6%
5. There is a random person in background - 2%

Say Caerphilly!

• According to the Welsh, they take the best photos with almost a third (29%) saying they never have to discard photos because of poor quality
• People in East Anglia are the most tech-savvy with 1 in 3 (30%) owning a digital camera
• Londoners are the UK's most camera shy, with almost half (47%) editing photos of themselves before sharing with friends and family
• Only a fifth (21%) of Scots are bashful of their photos

Digital camera can halt the waste
According to the survey, a quarter (24%) of Brits now own a digital camera and cite their top reasons for doing so:

1. More flexibility (90%)
2. Chance to see the photo instantly (87%)
3. Less waste when it comes to printing off the pics (87%)
4. Save money by being selective on the photos you print (67%)

Rewrite History
Over half (53%) of Brits regularly scan in their old photos in order to edit them and print out an improved version - at the click of a button you can change history - delete your ex and the bad skin you had in your teens!

Paul Kreutzer, Director, Consumer Printer Division of Lexmark commented, "As the survey shows more people are now switching to digital cameras in order to improve the quality of their photos and reduce wastage. If you aren't a natural 'Bailey' or 'Lichfield' a digital camera and photo printer are the perfect solution - you can edit your photos any way you want them and print them out at your convenience."

Lexmark's new P3150 All-in-one photo printer enables home PC owners to print off any photo they choose as and when they want it.  At just £99, owners of a P3150 have a whole creative centre, including a photo printer, scanner and copier, at their fingertips, in one stylish, compact device. The printer also comes complete with the Lexmark Photo Centre Software which allows users to easily edit their photos (resize them, remove red eye, add text and so on) before they print.

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