Brits 'sticking two fingers up at the recession'

Steely Brits are determined to shake off the shackles of the credit crunch and make the most of their leisure time over the coming months, an expert has claimed.

With the global economic crisis now in full swing, many UK residents are having to cut back on outgoings and luxury spends, while the threat of redundancy still looms for workers across the country.

However, according to Mark Bower, lifestyle sales director at lastminute.com, people are "fed up" of the doom and gloom concerning the economy and are "sticking two fingers up at the recession".

He said: "70 per cent of people we surveyed nationally said they plan to spend exactly the same this year on their leisure time, if not more."

Mr Bower said many Brits are still going out but "are not paying full price for anything", instead looking to take advantage of a number of "really good deals" on holidays and leisure activities.

According to research from lastminute.com published earlier this month, stag parties are not the only tourist groups likely to be planning a weekend away in 2009.

The report found that short breaks are likely to dominate travel plans this year, with more than 30 per cent of people planning city breaks.