The number of Britons seeking property abroad as an investment is increasing, according to new research.

HIFX, the foreign-exchange broker states that owning second properties abroad is now becoming a preferred investment option, with around 11 million Brits owning foreign houses in five years' time.

And people are looking further away than France or Spain for their investments, as Barbados and Morocco now seem to be preferred resorts.

The Times reports that people owning property in Barbados have seen their investments rise in recent years, by an annual rate of around 15 per cent, which analysts expect to continue.

It states: The island is a year-round holiday destination because of its good climate, which is great for investors because there is always rental demand. And 2007 will be a bumper year because the cricket world cup is being held there.

The research also found that two-thirds of us intend to buy a property abroad, with half choosing to emigrate to avoid long working hours and high taxes.

This will be in addition to the 257,000 people who already own homes overseas.