Are Brits burning a hobby hole in their pockets?

The average cost of an active hobby in the UK is almost £280 a year, according to research from Yorkshire Bank.

But which hobbies hit the UK's pockets hardest? From golf to swimming, the cost of pursuing your favourite hobby can mount up. The Yorkshire Bank survey found that golf is one of the most popular, but also one of the UK's most expensive active hobbies. While costs can vary from club to club, a passion for golf costs an average of £755 per year - a staggering £275 more than its nearest rival, going to the gym.

While people's hobbies can range from a free walk to more costly pursuits, such as skydiving, which can cost up to £4000 a year, the majority incur a cost that can be worked into an average household budget.

Gary Lumby, Yorkshire Bank's head of retail, said: "Our research looked at the UK's most popular active and sporting hobbies by number of participants and assessed their average costs for a year. As the credit crunch bites, many of us are looking at how we can cut costs, but are reluctant to give up our favourite pastimes. However, the good news is that with a little planning and careful budgeting, continuing to pursue these hobbies can be easier than you think.

"Barely a week passes without another report that Brits are some of the most stressed workers in Europe - hobbies are a vital way of escaping these stresses and form an important part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”

Despite current financial worries, planning ahead and researching how to cut the cost of your hobby can pay off.