There are twice more Brits owning a holiday home in the sun that two years ago, figures have shown. About 800,000 people in the UK have a property in the sun, a 45% increase since July 2004, according to a survey by research analyst Mintel.

Three per cent of the British households intend to buy a holiday home abroad in the future, while five per cent are thinking of moving away from the UK altogether. Owning a second holiday home abroad had become an ambition for many people. The UK property boom increasing the housing equity, cheap flights, combined with a strong marketing by shows like "A place in the sun", have fuelled the ambition of owning holiday properties abroad.

According to the survey, Spain remains at the top of the list of destinations, with 4 out of 10 naming it as the preferred destination. France followed in second place with 26 per cent of people wanting to move there. Australia was the third most popular country with 22 per cent of people preferring to move there. Italy and US came 4th and 5th with 21 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.