Health and spa breaks in England could provide an extra £650m for the economy if the right facilities were available to meet the demand, according to a new report by the English Tourism Council (ETC).

Health Benefits reveals spa breaks already contribute £1.4bn to England's economy, but at the moment three quarters of spa tourism goes abroad, especially to Europe where there is an established spa culture.

The report suggests England's lack of facilities means tourism is missing its chance to win a greater share of the market.

'With our lives growing ever more busy and stressful, we are increasingly looking to pamper ourselves as an antidote,' said ETC chairman, Alan Britten.

'This presents an opportunity for all tourism businesses in Britain.' Health Benefits suggests the industry should try to revive a spa culture in Britain with more high quality facilities such as the UK's only natural hot springs in Bath Spa, which when they open this November will be available for therapeutic bathing for the first time since 1978.