Perfect Christmas cracker pull method studied

British scientists have come up with a formula for "the perfect Christmas cracker pull".

Research organisation QinetiQ says the best snap is produced by keeping a firm, two-handed grip on the cracker. Tilting your end downwards during the pull is also said to maximise your chances of winning its contents.

In addition, they found that a steady and controlled pull was necessary to maximise "peak force". But using too much "twisting force" made it more likely to rip in your opponent's favour.

The remaining factors to be considered are the distance to the centre of gravity of the cracker, the length of the cracker and the quality and density of materials used to construct the cracker.