'More Brits go backpacking'

An increasing number of Britons are going on a gap year, new research reveals.

According to a study by the Year Out Group, some 39,000 people went backpacking through the firm over the course of last year, a 3,000 increase from 2005, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The report also revealed that about a quarter of those going backpacking are over the age of 25.

Chief executive Richard Oliver claimed that a rising number of working adults were looking to take a 'gap month' or a sabbatical to go travelling.

He told the publication: "A lot of 28 to 35-year-olds, some who work in particularly high-pressure jobs and with the prospect of children, are deciding to do what they want to before they run out of time."

Africa was highlighted as a popular backpacker destination, particularly for those travelers wishing to carry out voluntary work abroad.

Research conducted by the One Life Live exhibition revealed that 54 per cent of working adults, about 7.5 million, said they would be interested in taking a career break to go backpacking or volunteer abroad.