SPENDING on holidays has soared by more than 50% compared with the beginning of the decade, figures revealed today.

The average British household is likely to fork out £1,801 on trips in 2007, a 52.6% increase on the figure for 2001, says travel insurance company InsureandGo.

It added that the total cost of holidays - including money spent while away - was rising by 8.92% a year.

Londoners are spending the most on their breaks away, averaging £1,965 a year on holidays between 2003 and 2006.

People in the North- East averaged the least during this period, £1,144.

Perry Wilson, from InsureandGo, said: "Holidays are as popular as ever.

"As a nation we take well over 60m trips abroad a year.

"Holiday inflation is probably being fuelled by the fact that many people now travel further for their holidays and take more adventurous, and therefore often more expensive breaks."

The breakdown of holiday spending - including the cost of a package plus spending while away - per year for the average household for 2003-06 is:

* London £1,965.60

* South-East £1,617.20

* Yorkshire and Humberside £1,424.80

* West Midlands £1,586

* East £1,570.40

* North-West £1,508

* South-West £1,289.60

* Northern Ireland £1,211.60

* East Midlands £1,164.80

* Scotland £1,154.40

* Wales £1,076.40

* North-East £1,144