Insurance warning for hens and stags

Hens and stags planning to celebrate abroad have been urged by the Foreign Office (FO) to research their trip and buy travel insurance.

Officials warned pre-wedding partygoers they risked a hostile reception from locals or even a weekend in jail. They cited examples of rowdy Brits who had fallen off hotel balconies, woken up upside down and naked in bins, or been arrested for wearing mankinis. Phil Lord, from the FO, said: "Cultural differences mean some people will take offence to risqué fancy dress costumes and rowdy behaviour."

Maria Leng, a consular official in Spain, said: "Consular staff regularly handle arrests, hospitalisation and lost and stolen passports." The Government estimates that more than a million revellers will travel this year and 169,000 will not be insured.