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People who are keen to take up an active hobby may find that a secured loan can help them get started.

Research from Yorkshire Bank has shown that the average cost of an active hobby in the UK is almost £280 a year.

One of the most popular pastimes in the UK is golf which will set you back an average of £755 a year, while for something a little more unusual like skydiving you will be looking at about £4,000 a year.

Gary Lumby, Yorkshire Bank's head of retail, said: "As the credit crunch bites, many of us are looking at how we can cut costs, but are reluctant to give up our favourite pastimes."

However, he added that with careful financial planning most people can continue to pursue their hobbies.

For homeowners, a secured loan can be a cost-effective way to cover the initial outlay required to take up a new hobby, as interest rates are generally lower because risk to the lender is reduced.