New York 'most expensive stag party destination'

Brits heading on stag weekends to New York may find that their pounds do not stretch as far as they might do in destinations closer to home, new research has found.

A study by Virgin Money found the US city to be the most expensive place in the world for a short break.

Based on a two-day trip, the survey looked at living costs and converted them into sterling to help show the differences in value across 20 major cities.

While the total cost for a pair of visitors to the Big Apple would be £527.44, the research found those heading to London for their stag party would find it approximately £162.44 cheaper.

The research found a weekend in Dublin is more cost-effective at £234 - less than half of the New York price.

Grant Bather of Virgin Money Travel Insurance said: "City breaks are big business now and our research shows you don't have to break the bank when you're on holiday."

The news follows a statement from the Association of Independent Tour Operators, which suggested that the travel and tourism industry was now in a much better state than it was this time last year.