People are putting paperbacks aside on holiday and reaching for e-books instead, according to a survey.

E-reading devices such as the Kindle are now the preferred way to get stuck into a good novel while on a break, the poll by travel agency www.sunshine.co.uk found.

A total of 1928 UK adults who had been abroad on holiday in the last 12 months were surveyed.

Of those who had read while away, 51% had used an e-reader while 49% had opted for a book.

E-readers were most popular among those aged 40 or more, with only 11% of 18 to 25-year-olds using them. Of those who used an e-reader, 44% said it was easier to hold while 29% said it was easier to see in the sun.