BRITAIN'S caravan enthusiasts are rebelling against their "socks and sandals" stereotype, new research has claimed.

Modern caravanners are fans of extreme sports, plasma televisions and games consoles, according to a poll by holiday company Eurocamp Independent.

More than a third of those questioned said they had participated in activities such as white water rafting, abseiling and sky diving.

Around 70 per cent said they had decked their caravans out with the latest technology, including DVD players, plasma televisions and games consoles.

A spokesman for Eurocamp Independent said Britain's caravanning fraternity should no longer be thought of as the socks and sandals brigade.

He said: "One of the wonderful things attracting younger people back to caravanning is that the owner makes the rules. They can choose where to go and what to do, how to modernise their private space and how long to stay in one location - they experience boundaries in everyday life, so they seek that release when holidaying.

"People are also retiring at a younger age, with more retirees rebelling against the stereotypes which come from the older touring caravans. Between descending cliff-faces and jumping from planes, caravanners are living life to the full."