IF you're looking to escape the cold weather then you could find the best bargain on the worldwide web.

People have been booking and paying for holidays on the web for ages but at this time of year there are bargains galore, with no gamble involved.

Would you buy a house without seeing it first, or indeed a T-shirt that might cost you just £10? I doubt it, but many people are happy to take a chance on a fortnight in the sun.

Booking off websites, or indeed Teletext, where your accommodation is unnamed, can be the luck of the draw and, although my experience was a good one, I'm not so sure I'd try it again.

All the major travel agents can now be found online with flights, hotels, car hire and excursions all available at the touch of a button. But to find out what you can really expect check out www.holidaywatchdog.com for a very real review.

IF you are thinking of going away you might want to start that diet and fitness regime early!

New technology at airports could give staff the ability to see right through your clothes as they continue their push to beat terrorism.

We all know that things can be well hidden, but surely this invasion into people's privacy goes a little bit too far, with security officials claiming it "detects the outline of any solid object -- and not just metal ones!"

FINALLY, another site worth checking out for your Christmas ideas is

http://christmasgiftsdirectuk.drct2u.com.