Almost a quarter of people are relying on alternative investments such as antiques or art to supplement their pension.

About 22 per cent plan to sell items from classic cars to overseas property to stamp collections, according to the Alternative investment Show.

About six per cent plan to put overseas property on the market and the same proportion will part with collections of stamps, coins or toys as age creeps on.

Almost a third of people thought investments such as wine and jewellery were the safest place for their money compared with four per cent who favoured the stock market.

Fifty-five per cent of those questioned still thought property was the best investment.

Wednesday September 08, 2004