Flaming June keeps surfers off the web

The number of people in the UK with internet access fell during June, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

In June, the number of active internet users fell by 0.2 per cent, the

first fall in a year. The last time internet accounts fell was in June 2004

and growth is usually strongest in the winter months, suggesting that the

summer weather is tempting people away from their computers.

"We honestly don't know why it is," said an ONS spokesman.

"It could be there's a trend for people to do more outdoor activities

during the summer months, but we're not sure."

The monthly figures from the ONS also reveal that broadband penetration is

now at 52 per cent of UK homes. The number of dial up connections continues

to decline, as they have since February 2002.

The survey, established in January 2001, surveys a panel of ISPs, collecting data on the number of active internet subscriptions, types of connections and types of subscriptions.