Britons tend to be "stand-offish" on holidays, according to a survey.

The majority do not want to make new friends while away, the poll by travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk found. And of those who did find new pals on a break, few kept up with them once back at home.

Of the 2,107 British holidaymakers polled, only 8% said they had made friends on their last trip abroad.

As many as 51% said they had no interest in making friends during a holiday while 15% were indifferent about it.

Nearly half of those not keen to seek out new acquaintances said they did not want to get stuck with people for the duration of their holiday, while 22% said they wanted "alone time" with the people they were travelling with, such as friends or family members.

Also, 71% of those who had made a friend/friends on their last holiday abroad said they did not stay in touch after the break.

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Of those who did like to make friends on holiday, a third (34%) said it "made the holiday less boring" and 29% said it was to "keep the kids entertained if friends also have children".

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Sunshine.co.uk co-founder Chris Clarkson said: "Making friends on holiday isn't everyone's cup of tea, but for some it makes the holiday even better.

"I found it amusing that some people liked to make friends on holiday for their children's benefit, as understandable as that is, as I'm sure many of those may have also had their eye on a free babysitter for a night or two."

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