There will be 11% more Britons heading for sunnier climes over Christmas and the New Year than last year, lastminute.com said.

It added that many of them will be skipping the traditional family Christmas at home, as December 20 is the most-popular departure date.

Lastminute.com said that some are putting real distance between themselves and home, with a "massive increase" in long-haul holiday bookings for the festive period.

Destinations include The Gambia, Cape Verde off Africa and Oman in the Middle East.

In the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is also proving popular, rivalling the more established Barbados and Jamaica for Christmas and New Year visitors.

The more traditional winter sun destinations of Egypt, Dubai and the Far East are also performing well.

Lastminute.com managing director John Bevan said: "It would appear Britons are opting out of the pressures of a family Christmas, which include having to visit both your own parents and the in-laws.

"Instead they are choosing to enjoy their time off work by visiting sun-drenched destinations."