MORE Middlesbrough holidaymakers are looking for active breaks rather than relaxation, according to a new survey.

About 65 per cent of people interviewed by Stena Line Holidays wanted to be more energetic on their annual breaks.

Julia Fothergill, the company's head of marketing, said: "Gone are the days when the most strenuous holiday activity was racing to reserve a sun lounger.

"With the pressures of modern-day life, it seems people are now using their holidays to improve their sporting skills or try something new."

Golf, angling, riding, walking and cycling breaks topped the polls and over half of the 25 to 34-year-old population polled reported that they are more active on holiday today than they were five years ago.

Researchers found half the subjects thought they were suffering from work-induced stress.

One in three people said they had no time for activities outside work and half said they felt more energetic on holiday than at home.