DIY 'second most popular leisure pursuit'

Britons are spending thousands of pounds a year on DIY, a new survey revealed, with the pursuit ranked as one of the most popular pastimes for adults.

Research from Abbey has found that the typical Briton spends £10,801 a year in search of happiness, with home improvements the second largest expense.

The cost of the country's DIY fixation amounts to £1,783 per person per year, the study found – second only to holidays, which cost an average of £3,764 per year.

"Happiness certainly doesn't come cheap," commented Steve Shore, head of banking at Abbey.

"With the average Brit spending almost half of their annual wage on pursuits that make them happy, we place a high value on our leisure time."

Britons add an average of £5,000 to their homes with each major home improvement effort, Halifax revealed earlier this year, with one in three spending between £2,500 and £10,000 and one in nine spending more than £10,000.


© Adfero Ltd