The number of people in possession of an Apple iPod or similar MP3 player has soared above the 20 million mark according to a new survey.

And in keeping, the quantity of iPod accessories being purchased in the UK and US has similarly risen at a consistently accelerating rate.

Around 11 per cent of the combined UK and US population now owns one of Apple’s successful iPod players or similar MP3 players, with this number expected to rise dramatically during the next 12 months.

The survey conducted by PewInternet.com revealed that 22 million adults owned at least one of the music players, figures that didn’t even include the number of teenagers owning one.

The survey also revealed that men are far more likely to regularly purchase iPod accessories than women, with 14 per cent of men regularly buying accessories compared to nine per cent of women.