British shoppers planning a booze cruise can also make big savings on other products, according to a report published today.

Consumer magazine Which? says consumers can pick up electrical goods, bicycles and cosmetics at bargain prices.

It found savings in Calais of £54 on a coffee maker, £132 on a digital camera and £152 on a bicycle.

About 15 million passengers made the short Dover to Calais sea crossing in 2000. Many went to buy alcohol and tobacco at below British prices but Which? said many did not think about saving on other products.

Bargains could also be purchased at other cross-channel destinations.

But the magazine warned there were drawbacks to shopping overseas.

It could be difficult to compare the prices of some electrical goods with UK prices because some products came with extras, such as stands.

It also warned that if consumers had a problem with an item bought abroad any claim was generally subject to the laws of the country of purchase.

Not all televisions were cheaper abroad but Which? found 28in widescreen Philips and Sony sets for about 20 per cent less at one French store than in UK high streets.

Garden equipment could also be cheaper, with a pair of Gardena secateurs costing half the UK price.

Which? also discovered a Mongoose adult bicycle in Calais for £152 cheaper than on one particular UK internet site and a Black & Decker cordless drill 40 per cent cheaper than at a UK home improvement chain.

Editor Helen Parker said: "We found great savings can be made by shopping in France and Belgium and not just on booze.

"With so many cheap deals, consumers could be quids in."