More than one in four people aged over 55 say they are more adventurous in their holiday plans than when they were younger, according to a new study.

A survey of 698 men and women in this age category found that 27% are now bolder in terms of where they travel to and what they do when they get there.

Some 60% said their choice of destination or type of holiday was partly motivated by wanting to do it while they were still fit enough, while 40% agreed that being retired or working less was a contributing factor.

A quarter (25%) of people aged over 55 said their holiday planning was in some way due to trips being more affordable as they no longer have to pay for their children.

The research was commissioned by Post Office Travel Insurance.