Savers have lost an estimated £130 billion as a result of six years of "hurt" from rock-bottom interest rates, according to analysis.

The total equates to £5,000 for every household in the UK, according to financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, which made the findings.

The calculations were made using Bank of England statistics, comparing actual interest paid on deposits with what those payments would have been if interest rates had remained at 2008 levels.

The analysis assumed that the stock of people's deposits was the same as what has actually occurred, but Hargreaves Lansdown said that if interest rates had been higher, deposits would almost certainly have been higher too.

There has also been an "explosion" in assets held in bank accounts which pay people no interest at all, according to the findings. The amount of money held by households in non-interest bearing accounts stands at £149 billion, more than trebling from £47 billion in September 2008.

The average rate paid on an instant access account has also fallen from 3.1% in September 2008 to 0.78% now, Hargreaves Lansdown said.

Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Cash savers have endured six years of hurt."

He continued: "The immediate future doesn't look too bright for cash savers either. While interest rate rises may be on the cards next year, when they arrive they aren't likely to set the savings world alight. It could yet be many years before we see rates reach their 2008 levels again.

"Of course, without loose monetary policy we would almost certainly have been left in a much sorrier state by the financial crisis. There have been also been beneficiaries of low interest rates, most notably borrowers, who have seen their mortgage payments fall substantially."

Despite the tough environment, people are generally encouraged to build a savings buffer which would see them through at least three to six months of spending if they needed it in an emergency.

Isas, which ring-fence people's savings from the taxman, have also become more generous and more flexible since they were overhauled in July. During the current tax year, people can put up to £15,000 into an Isa, placing their money all in cash, all in stocks and shares or any combination of the two.

But the average Isa rate has fallen from 1.99% in March 2009 to 1.45%, according to financial information website Moneyfacts.

This time of the year has in the past seen a flurry of activity as Isa providers compete for deposits from people looking for somewhere to put their annual Isa allowance as the tax year comes to an end and another one starts.

But Rachel Springall, a spokeswoman for Moneyfacts, said: "Sadly, it doesn't seem that we will get an abundance of new deals this year. While we have seen some market-leading rates, such as the Yorkshire Bank's recent two-year Isa paying 2.10%, there really needs to be more best-buy deals thrown into the market to make a difference to savers and give them more choice."

Ms Springall said that despite the "gloomy outlook" for the savings market generally, Isa rates are still beating rates on similar savings accounts which are subject to tax "hands down".

She said: "The average easy access Isa pays 1.11% compared to 0.65% on taxable accounts. Notice Isas on average pay 1.24%, which is good considering standard taxable notice accounts on average pay 0.86% right now.

"This shows that, while there might be an abundance of taxable savings accounts out there, it is always worthwhile to track down an Isa equivalent."

For people aged 65 and over, the Government's market-beating pensioner bonds, which are being offered through National Savings and Investments (NS&I), are also an option for people looking for better returns.

The hugely popular deals enable people aged over 65 to save up to £10,000 each in a one-year bond paying annual interest of 2.8% and a three-year bond paying a yearly rate of 4%.

Chancellor George Osborne recently announced that the availability of the bonds would be extended. They will be kept on sale until May 15 and the Government expects that more than a million older savers will benefit.

People with longer term savings goals of five to 10 years or more may want to consider investing in stock market funds, although there is the risk that they will get back less than they invested.