AN INCREASING number of sun-seeking executives are taking their laptop computers on holiday to catch up on work and keep in touch with the office.

Those are the findings of the Swindon-based British Computer Society the representative body for the United Kingdom's IT profession whose latest research reveals how the laptop is fast catching up with the mobile phone as the "must-take" item for holidaying executives.

According to the survey's findings, many senior personnel pack their laptops, together with their sun-tan lotion and sandals, expressly to keep in contact with office colleagues and simply to keep pace with emails.

More worrying, however, is the number of hours holidaying executives spend working on their laptops an average of one-hour daily or 14 hours spread across an average two weeks' holiday.

Said David Clarke, BCS chief executive: "The figures are reflective of the 21st century British working culture, but also reveal that people are utilising technology to adapt to the demands of their work.

"Taking a laptop on holiday gives peace of mind to many by enabling them to keep in touch with colleagues and clients and to respond to a situation from virtually anywhere around the world, even if on holiday on the beach," he said.

Ironically, the computer society's research also revealed that most laptop-linked executives actually returned to work feeling re-energised and in control because they did not have to wade through the deluge of emails which normally awaited them on their return to the office.

However, Jennie Brooks, a Swindon-based HR adviser with the Workforce Develop ment Advisory Service of Busi-ness Link Berkshire and Wiltshire said: "Quite frankly taking laptops and work on holiday is bad news for the employee, and their family.

"We are entering a cycle where employers are putting themselves under huge amounts of pressure which knocks onto employees without understanding the effect on them, and their families.

"The trend towards working holidays is a real threat to businesses and is indicative of what we see in this area.

"We expect to see this trend continuing so action must be taken by businesses to create a better work-life balance otherwise, with today's employment opportunities, com- panies will simply lose staff to someone who can give it to them," she said.