British workers are adding beach balls and bikinis to their briefcases when away on business, as part of a new travel trend dubbed ‘bleisure’.

Bleisure – a combination of business and leisure – is an emerging trend according to new research from Autoeurope. The survey of 2,000 people found that Brits are increasingly combining work and personal travel, changing their habits as a result.

Part of the reason for this is the potential to save money on travel. British employees now spend on average five days a month travelling with work, with millennials the biggest exponents of this, managing to save themselves around £634 on personal holidays each year.

More than a fifth of bleisure travellers say they will choose a more expensive hotel than they usually could afford, while 22 per cent will often pay for a partner or friend to join them on their break.

Interestingly, the research suggests that bleisure travellers could make for happier and more engaged employees at no extra cost to businesses.

A spokesperson for Autoeurope said: “Travelling for business can be an exciting part of the job – it adds variety and offers opportunities to see new places and experience different working cultures.

“Sharing the travelling opportunities between employees, as well as organising bookings, check-ins and accommodation in advance, can help ensure travel remains a perk, rather than a difficulty.”