People in the UK are going to great lengths to make sure that they can afford to take a summer holiday in 2012.

And according to new research, that includes auctioning off their personal belongings online in order to help pay for everything from airplane tickets to accommodation abroad. The online retail and auction site has become a firm favourite with Brits wanting to dispose of items they no longer want and now for many the focus is firmly on being able to raise enough money to afford a break over the summer.

A survey conducted by Travelodge discovered that over two-thirds of respondents had taken action to cut back their spending on luxuries, such as clothes shopping or eating out, in order to save up money for a holiday.

The research also recorded an increase in the number of people planning to take a break in the UK this year – up 6 per cent to 41 per cent.

Cornwall topped the list of the most popular 'staycation' destinations in 2012, with Edinburgh taking second place and the Lake District rounding off the top three.

Written by Richard Mercer