MORE than three-quarters of families are now taking steps to avoid holiday "rip-offs" after 72% got caught out on their last holiday abroad, a survey has found.

Some 77% of families are planning to take cost-cutting steps, Post Office Travel Money has found.

Buying water in bulk, drinking local beers and sightseeing on foot are among the most common ways people plan to cut back, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, charges and fees for paying on cards, food and drink prices on planes and the cost of attraction entry fees and organised excursions were among people's biggest money gripes while on holiday.

The Post Office research found that seven in 10 families had blown their budget on their last trip abroad. On average, they had overspent by £177.