Fountain pens are back in fashion as millennials turn to handwriting in an attempt to escape the digital age, according to market insiders.

The fountain pen is enjoying a fresh renaissance with sales of the classic writing instrument rising, a trend which experts are crediting to youngsters wanting to find an “antidote” to their increasingly digital lives.

Wendy Vickery, marketing director at stationary company Pentel UK, said young people are increasingly "keen to put down their smartphones and pick up a pen to write letters, notes and messages to loved ones, friends and colleagues."

She added: “Writing has become an escape for the younger generation from their digital lives.”

Director of The Online Pen Company Joe Kershaw said: "Trends such as bullet journaling or modern calligraphy tap into that offline need for wellness and mental space that many millennials feel. It’s a nice relaxing escape from the screen and digital life to put pen to paper."

The sales of Pentel fountain pens to independent retailers have increased by six percent year-on-year and luxury pen retailer Pen Heaven said they had seen fountain pen sales over a six month period increase by 26 percent compared to the previous year, and a further 48 percent increase the year before that.