Australia attracts British expats

Britons who want to relocate overseas are increasingly heading towards Australia, it has been revealed.

According to The Emigration Group, a growing number of people in the UK are looking to escape the economic downturn by moving abroad.

Australia was identified as the preferred choice for many of these people, as it offers favourable living standards and good employment prospects.

Paul Arthur, director of The Emigration Group, commented: "Australia [offers] a fabulous lifestyle alternative, excellent job opportunities, affordable homes and better weather."

Speaking to the Chester Chronicle, he added that people in Cheshire appear to be particularly keen to set up home overseas.

This trend was said to be most apparent in well-off commuter towns rather than the more run-down areas.

The comments follow figures from HiFX which revealed a recent surge of interest in buying property in Australia.

According to the firm, the country was the subject of ten per cent of the enquiries it received into moving abroad in April.