Via fossil-fueled jets, holidaymakers flee Britain for warmer climes

Holidaymakers are fleeing Britain in droves this autumn in a last-ditch attempt to find some sunshine, travel agents have said.
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Branches across the country have reported a surge in bookings for foreign destinations of up to 150 per cent at the end of a dismal summer.

Late deals are being grabbed by people who chose to stay at home in the face of an economic downturn but who are now desperate to get away at all costs.

The exodus is largely heading towards the Mediterranean, where temperatures are still reaching 86F (30C), but some have gone further afield to escape the rain.

Sean Tipton of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said he had spoken to 10 members from across the UK and all reported the same increase in activity.

"They have all had a lot of people coming in desperate to get away this month," he said.

"One had a customer who came in in the morning and said 'get me out of here on the first flight to somewhere warm and sunny'. He was flying to southern Spain that evening. The agent said it was the first time he had seen that for 20 years."