Beware of local laws 
on holiday

As many as 70 per cent said researching local laws and customs would make their holiday more enjoyable, but fewer than half would actually make this part of their preparations, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office poll.

UK tourists can fall foul of such offences as driving a dirty car in Russia, wearing camouflage clothing in Barbados and jaywalking in the USA.

The FCO also listed new local laws which have been introduced abroad this year including fines being increased to $500 for swearing publicly in parts of Australia, and new requirements for parents travelling with children in or out of South Africa.

Existing offences include entering churches or mosques with arms or legs uncovered in Italy or Turkey and leaving the beach still in swimwear in Majorca and Barcelona.