ta

Hi,

"Ta" is a spoken form of "Thank you" in British English (according to my dictionary)?
(1) I wonder if 'ta' is common enough in modern BrEng?
(2) Perhaps this shortened form is common enough in some BE dialects but absolutely "alien" to others?
(3) Mostly used by kids/teenagers or maybe on the contrary never used by anybody but elderly people??

Thank you!

mus-te