Three-quarters of people said they thought experts would try to sell them the products that would make them the most commission, rather than ones that best met their needs, according to Yorkshire Bank.

A further 16% also said they had failed to get their finances in order because they did not have time to shop around for the best products themselves.

Around 15% of those questioned said they did not know where to start when it came to making the most of their money, while 20% said they would like someone to talk to them about it.

Tim Willis, Yorkshire Bank's head of financial planning, said: "Many of us will have made a New Year resolution to sort out our finances.

"However, some of us don't seek professional financial advice because we are under the false impression that the advice we get is often motivated by commission the adviser may receive."

One in four of those surveyed said they would go to an independent financial adviser for help with their money, while 19% said they would prefer to talk to someone at a high street bank.

Among those who had spoken to a financial adviser, 28% said they felt much happier about the general state of their finances. Nearly half also said they thought their financial future was secure, compared with just 19% of those who had not taken advice.

Those who had visited an adviser were also more likely to have changed their mortgage during the past 12 months to save money than those who had not, at 57% compared with 11%.

Half of people who had taken advice had used their tax-free savings allowance during the past year, compared with 10% of those who had not sought advice, and 42% had set up a pension, compared with 24% who had not consulted anyone about their finances.