Smartphones have overtaken laptops as the most popular device for getting online.

Research from British watchdog Ofcom has revealed record ownership and use there.

It says two-thirds of people in the UK now own a smartphone, using it for nearly two hours every day to browse the internet, access social media, bank and shop online.

It also finds that 33% of internet users see their smartphone as the most important device for going online, compared to 30% who are still sticking with their laptop.

The rise in smartphone surfing marks a clear shift since 2014, when just 22% turned to their phone first, and 40% preferred their laptop.

Source: Ofcom

Smartphones are now in the pockets of two thirds (66%) of UK adults, up from 39% in 2012.

The vast majority (90%) of 16-24 year olds own one; but 55-64 year olds are also joining the smartphone revolution - with ownership in this age group more than doubling since 2012, from 19% to 50%.

And people are spending almost twice as long online with their smartphones than on laptops and personal computers.

On average, adult mobile users spent nearly two hours online each day using a smartphone in March 2015, compared to just over an hour on laptops and PCs.

But in comparison, this is still only half of the three hours and 40 minutes people spend in front of the TV each day.

Technology journalist John McCann says nowadays the phone is everything.