THE high cost of holidaying in Britain is putting people off taking a `greener' break here instead of flying abroad.

A new survey reveals that nearly 20 per cent of people would like to cut their carbon footprint by taking a break in Britain rather than abroad - but find Britain too expensive.

Some 49 per cent of people polled reckoned holidaying in Britain was too pricey, with 20 per cent saying resorts are not as friendly as those overseas.

Forty-five per cent were concerned about carbon emissions from flying abroad but 22 per cent see no alternative to foreign travel unless British costs come down. Asked about Cornwall, 38 per cent said it was too expensive, while 28 per cent said the same about Devon.

Mike Holliday-Williams, managing director of insurance firm More Than, who carried out the survey, said: "Although we are all being encouraged to think green about holidaying, the cost of holidays in this country is a huge barrier.

"Operators should be aware of this so that they can think of ways to entice Brits to holiday in the UK so that we can all work harder to reduce our impact on the environment."