A survey has found that young people between the ages of 16 and 24 experience loneliness more keenly and frequently than any other age group.

The survey, which was conducted by BBC Radio 4's All In The Mind and the Wellcome Trust and had 55,000 participants, showed that two in five 16 to 24 year olds reported feeling lonely often or very often, compared to only 29 per cent of people aged between 65 to 74, and 27 per cent of 75 and overs.

The research also showed that young people who reported higher levels of loneliness had more online-only Facebook friends than those who reported lower levels.

Speaking to The Telegraph Claudia Hammond, presenter of All In The Mind, said that the research challenges the stereotype of the isolated elderly, suggesting, instead, an epidemic of loneliness amongst the young.

"I wondered where there is something about the stress of modern life, or young people's ability to cope with it, that makes them feel lonelier. Or is youth simply a time of life when people feel isolation most keenly?" she asked.

"Young people today have social media. They are more connected than ever before. But this can bring its own problems. If you're feeling lonely, looking at pictures of other people appearing to have endless fun isn't going to help; with those feelings of isolation."

This is not the first time that the severity of the issue has been recognised, with the UK appointing Tracey Crouch as its first Minister for Loneliness back in January.

Spa Business reported on the impact of loneliness and how spas can position themselves to help address the problem in its Q2 issue.