"I took my family to Lapland for £1.7k and saved £19k by taking hand luggage"

A mum says her family had the "Hollywood Christmas movie" experience in Lapland on a £1.7k budget - saving £19k - by taking hand luggage only and eating McDonald's.

Emily McColgan-Upfold, 31, saw other families online visiting the festive region and wondered if she’d be able to do it for a fraction of the price.

She forked out £1.7k for the three day trip - but says it typically costs a family-of-three £20k - so believes she saved £19k.

After spending the bulk of the budget on flights, Emily splashed out £422 on the rest of the weekend on activities, accommodation and food for her and her husband, Stephen, 32, a business development director, and their son Finn, five.

She says she was able to save money by packing light, bringing snacks and eating evening meals in McDonald’s.