Britons drink the most on holidays

Britons are Europe's heaviest holiday drinkers, according to a survey.

As many as 65% of Britons drink more while on a trip abroad than at home, the poll from the TripAdvisor company found.

This compares with a figure of 41% for other Europeans, including the Italians of whom only 28% drank more while away than at home.

The survey of more than 6,000 UK and European travellers also showed that while 29% of Britons drink five or more alcoholic drinks a day while on a break, only 10% of Europeans do so.

While the most common number of alcoholic drinks consumed per day by Europeans on holiday is one, the figure for Britons is three.

Based on responses from holidaymakers from the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain, the survey also revealed:

:: UK holidaymakers are least likely to smoke more when away, with Italians are the heaviest on-holiday smokers;

:: 94% of Britons are "careful" or "very careful" about putting on sun protection while away with only 4% "not being careful at all";

:: 12% of French holidaymakers admit to not being at all careful about putting on suncream:

:: On a score of one to five, with one being the unhealthiest and five the healthiest, Britons were ranked three for their holiday habits, with Italians the least healthy and Spaniards the most healthy.

TripAdvisor spokeswoman Emma O'Boyle said: "British holidaymakers have long been known for liking a drink when away, but it seems Brits really do up the ante with alcohol on holiday in a way our European neighbours do not.

"While it's encouraging to see that Britons are more health-conscious than most other Europeans when it comes to smoking and sun protection on holiday, we've certainly been shamed on our diet, alcohol intake and exercise by the Spanish."