Holidaymakers are spending more money in the form of euros while abroad than ever before, according to new statistics.

Analysing official figures, Marks & Spencer (M&S) Travel Money said that Britons spent nearly £18 billion in euro countries last year, the highest amount recorded since the currency was launched in 2002.

If all of the euro notes used last year by British holidaymakers were stacked up on top of each other, the pile would measure about 1.8 million feet high - some 998 times taller than the tallest man-made structure in the world, the CN Tower in Toronto.

This trend for splashing out with euros is expected to continue as travellers flock abroad to take advantage of the early Easter weekend, M&S Travel Money manager Fraser Millar commented.

"The euro is our favourite form of holiday cash, accounting for 58 per cent of all currency sales in the UK," he remarked.

"With the recent wintry weather at home, and an early start on the spring/summer season, 2008 could be another record year for the euro."

According to the Association of British Travel Agents, European destinations set to grow in popularity this year include Spain, Portugal and France.

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