Research carried out by Which? Legal Services has found that British holiday makers are prepared to make complaints on holiday - but are usually unhappy with the results.

The poll of 1,449 British adults who had been on holiday in the past three years found one in ten had made holiday complaints. Of this 10%, half felt let down by the way the complaint had been handled and 8% of these considered launching legal proceedings for holiday compensation.

It showed many holiday makers are left feeling dissatisfied with how their complaint was handled with half of those polled saying they felt that they had been dealt with dismissively by the company or person they had complained to.

Many complaints were about the standard of hotels. They ranged from a lack of services provided by the hotel to supposedly 5 star accommodation really only having 2.

Another major source of complaints were tour operators handling of the disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud earlier in the year with many holiday makers yet to have received a refund and complaints of cruise liners failing to stop at advertised destination ports.

How to complain on holiday

Which? have offered advice on how best to complain when on holiday:

• Complain directly to a holiday representative about the problem and how it is affecting you;
• Explain and give them a chance to fix it;
• Make your complaint in writing. Complete a complaint form and get the representative to sign it (if possible keep a copy);
• Take photos and make notes in case they are needed for evidence later;
• If the problem was never resolved write to your tour operator / holiday provider on your return;
• Ask for compensation any losses (including enjoyment);
• Persistence is key.