There may soon be an increased demand for people who have attended decorating courses, if the comments of one DIY expert are anything to go by.

Julia Kendell is a television interior designer for BBC One's DIY SOS programme, which is presented by Nick Knowles and is currently on its 18th series.

Ms Kendell said that more people are turning to their bathrooms as a haven during the financial crisis.

Her comments follow the publication of the Halifax Home Improvement Survey, which showed that a new bathroom is among the top five most popular home improvements, with the average spend on suites being £3,000.

"It's getting that combination of having a large shower and having somewhere you can soak and let the day's woes soak away," explained Ms Kendell.

She added that householders who previously ripped out their baths are having them reinstalled and large showers are also an attractive option for many.

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