Millions of Britons head overseas

Millions of Britons are heading abroad in search of summer sunshine and a reprieve from the downpours at home.
Travel agents say bookings for the Mediterranean are up at least 100 per cent on last year and popular sun spots such as Majorca and Ibiza are reported to be virtually full. The sudden surge in bookings kicked off last month, which set a new record for rainfall in England. Before that, travel experts had been predicting this year would be the first summer when green concerns would persuade more holidaymakers to give up their foreign flights and stay in Britain.

Agents said that with no sign of a break in the weather, the desire to see some sun now ranked above worries about the environment. Matthew Flint, sales director at Croydon-based Direct Line Holidays, said: "Last week we were 124 per cent up on last year. Very rarely have we ever known the weather to have such a direct effect on holiday bookings but in my 41 years this is the first time I have known a summer like this."

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