Tourism is growing in parts of Brittany away from the sea thanks to the increasing presence of UK buyers there, the region’s tourist board has said.

Director of the body Michael Dodds commented that "a few thousand British people have settled in inland Brittany".

He added that such buyers are "a driving force in helping people appreciate the inland waterways within Brittany and the undiscovered forests in the centre".

These Brittany property buyers are adding to the appeal already seen in popular locations such as Saint-Malo and "historic" Dinan, he noted, expressing the hope that the attraction of these areas will grow.

Mr Dodds suggested that the recession will see many people choose France as a "safe" destination for a summer holiday, with Brittany benefiting from its close proximity to Britain.

Earlier this week Briton Tracy Harris, who left London for the village of Evran in the north-east of the region, said life in Brittany is "simpler, safer and calmer", the Daily Mail reported.

Visit Rightmove Overseas for the best selection of Brittany property. Stop dreaming, start searching!