Nine million more advertisements were placed on online auction house Marktplaats this year, compared to 2019, while the use of the search term ‘free’ increased more than two-fold to 21 million times.

Freebies have always been a popular commodity on Marktplaats but the surge in demand cannot be seen as separate from the coronavirus crisis, spokesman Marc Immink told the AD.

‘It’s also in the Dutch genes to look for a deal, or something we can do up and sell on. But it seems that in these uncertain times people are looking on Marktplaats to save money.’

The corona lockdown measures were also reflected in the sort of things people were looking for. Office chairs, second hand laptops and board games were among the goods most in demand, with camper vans, boats, camping gear, trampolines and above ground swimming pools topping the summer list.

Toys and shoes were among the items people wanted to get rid of most often.