Hundreds of origami birds worth thousands of pounds have been folded and set free by intu across its 14 shopping centres around the country, including intu Uxbridge, following new research revealing that unexpectedly finding money is the nation’s most joyful surprise.

A team of experts spent more than 130 hours folding hundreds of origami birds worth £10 each, which are being hidden to surprise and delight shoppers nationwide by intu, owner of some of the UK’s largest and most popular shopping centres.

The spring release of the origami birds is part of intu’s pledge to make customers smile and follows research that it’s the simple surprises that bring the most happiness.

Roger Binks, customer experience director for intu, said: “We hope our origami birds will put a smile on the faces of the customers lucky enough to find one within our shopping centres.

“We’re passionate about creating experiences that surprise and delight our 35 million customers and whatever type of shopper you are, we’ll have something for you.

“By focusing on key moments both large and small we aim to ensure each and every customer leaves our centres happier than when they arrived.”

Finding money was voted the nation’s happiest surprise, followed by hearing your favourite song on the radio, getting a refund you thought was a bill, hearing from an old friend unexpectedly and getting a compliment from a stranger.

The research also revealed that over half of people (55 per cent) get more happiness from something unexpected rather than something planned.

More than a third of those surveyed said shopping makes them happier and nearly two in five (38 per cent) go shopping to cheer themselves up.

Women get more happiness from shopping than men with 42 per cent saying it makes them happier compared to 30 per cent of men.

Women are also likely to browse for longer, staying in shopping centres for an average of 132 minutes (2hrs 12mins) versus just 84 minutes (1hr 24mins) for men.