Falling pound has not deterred British holidaymakers

The pound's recent dramatic fall has not hampered the holiday ambitions of many households, sales figures suggest.

Despite poor exchange rates available to holidaymakers heading abroad, Post Office Travel Money said it has seen 46% growth in currencies sold online during this month so far, compared to the same period last year.

The Post Office, which accounts for one in four UK travel money transactions, said sales of the euro accelerated during September, showing a 14% year-on-year increase compared to last year.

And despite the weakening pound, US dollar sales were up 16% for 2016 as a whole, with "no sign" of a drop in demand.

The figures, released as many families head off for a half-term break, show the euro is the Post Office's best-selling currency, with the dollar in second.

Andrew Brown, the Post Office's head of travel money, said: "Our latest currency sales make it clear that the weaker pound has not dented UK holidaymakers' appetite for travel so far.

"There is strong evidence that holidaymakers are planning travel abroad, even to those countries whose currencies have strengthened most against sterling."

He continued: "There is evidence too that some canny travellers are choosing resorts where sterling has fallen in value least.

"Sales of the Mexican peso are continuing to rise as they have done for the past decade, while Costa Rica looks to be one of the year's big successes as new flights bring the destination within easy reach."