British women who diet before a holiday aim to lose an average of more than three kilos in weight, according to a survey. As many as 67 per cent of women polled said they went on diets before taking a break, the survey by travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk found.

The average amount they aimed to lose was 3.5 kilos, with only nine per cent of the 1,614 females polled saying they did not take any steps to improve or change their appearance before a break. The poll, involving women over 21 who had been on holiday in the last two years, found 48 per cent had used a fake tan or a sunbed before going away. Also, 39 per cent had their hair cut or dyed, 24 per cent went in for waxing and 22 per cent had a manicure.