Government outlines plans for travel database

Stag parties taking trips to European destinations such as Amsterdam stag weekends could soon have their travel movements tracked by the UK government.

Ministers have outlined plans to compile a database of Britons' international travel records in a bid to cut down on crime, terrorism and illegal immigration.

Under the proposals, people taking trips overseas would have their names, addresses and other personal details kept on the records.

Similar strategies are already running in countries such as the US, Australia, Canada, but critics have dismissed the plans as a further move towards a Big Brother society.

A spokesman for campaign group NO2ID said: "When your travel plans, who you are travelling with, where you are going to and when are being recorded you have to ask yourself just how free is this country?"

However, the government claims the new scheme would increase security and offer greater personal protection for travellers.

The number of people leaving the UK on trips to European countries may decline this year as a result of the credit crunch and the weakening pound, but those planning a stag weekend can still find a number of top pubs and hotels in cities across Britain.