London - You can spot them a mile off at any holiday resort. A little bit sunburned, a little bit tipsy and sometimes even a little bit amorous too.
But the holidaymakers shaking off the shackles of routine for the excitement of a summer fling are not your average 18-30 types.
More and more over-50s are throwing caution to the wind and saying yes to a holiday romance.
In fact one in ten admit they would be happy to have a fling while away, a survey has found.
But these Shirley Valentines face the risk of coming home with some unwanted souvenirs. Figures show a surge in visits to sexual health clinics after holidays, with a rise of one-fifth among all age groups needing treatment between May and September.
More than one in three surveyed admitted to having unprotected sex with a stranger or new partner - and the over-50s were the least likely to bother with protection.
More than 11 percent confessed they would have a fling and 6 percent were prepared to have a one-night stand. More than one in six of those said they would never use protection with a new partner, closely followed by one in seven of those in their mid-40s.
The survey of 3,000 adults by the Co-operative Pharmacy, part of The Co-operative Group, follows figures showing a 22 percent jump in visits to sexual health clinics from May to September.
Public health officials have grown increasingly concerned about the spread of sexually transmitted infections among those in their 50s and older.
Thanks to rising divorce rates, more women over 45 are looking for love on the dating scene and through internet agencies.
But when they do find romance, many don’t bother using condoms, believing the safe sex message is aimed only at younger people.
More than one in eight women said they were embarrassed to ask about contraception when having sex with a new partner.
Each year around 600,000 cases of sexually transmitted infections are reported in England.
“On holiday people often get more amorous,” said Lisa McCreesh, a pharmacist at The Co-operative Pharmacy.
“We are urging people to remember that condoms provide the most effective protection against STIs. If you have had unprotected sex, it is important to get a check-up as you may not show any symptoms.” - Daily Mail