WHEN it comes to the ‘staycation,’ Romford holidaymakers are more likely to be seen jetting off into the sunshine than bunking down for a British holiday.

Figures released this week reveal Romford residents are bucking the national trend for holidays close to home, instead choosing to head overseas.

Over the last four years the number of British holiday makers opting for a ‘staycation’ has risen dramatically – up 173 per cent for contented (or perhaps just broke) Hull residents.

They’re closely followed by those in Leeds, up 132 per-cent, and Wakefield, up 124 per-cent.

Romford, however, had the third lowest staycation uptake in the country - just 12 per-cent, according to a study by holiday park company Parks Resort.

The lowest was in Canterbury with a rise of just 6 per-cent.

When contacted by the Romford Recorder this week, Romford Flight Centre was unsurprised with the figures, admitting that when it comes to holidays we just can’t get enough of the sun.

Travel consultant Krystyna Lucuk said the recession hadn’t really affected Romford residents’ travel plans, adding: “We weren’t any less busy than last year. People are always looking for deals or bargains but I don’t think they really book UK holidays as much.”

She admitted that most customers who opted for British holidays had a fear of flying.

She said: “I think people want to get away from the weather, they mainly want the sun. A lot of customers are also booking trips to see family and friends in Australia and America.”

The Parks Resort survey was based on the details of 700,000 holidays between 2006 and 2010.