Forgetfulness could leave car hire users without pets, teeth and underwear

Users of car hire in London keen to avoid an embarrassing phone call to ask for their life-size Lenny Henry cut-out back may want to double-check that they remember to pack all of their belongings after a getaway break.

This is just one of numerous bizarre items left behind in hotels and on trains, with travel companies revealing that they have found everything from expensive laptops to Zimmer frames when tidying up after guests.

Those hopping on the Eurostar before booking car hire once they get off at the other end will want to avoid some of the forgetful faux pas made by fellow travelers in recent times.

Lesley Retallack, head of press for Eurostar, revealed that this form of transport appears to have healing qualities for some people.

She said: “We’ve had all sorts of things [left behind] – false teeth, Zimmer frames, crutches – it’s like suddenly they travel on Eurostar and they’re cured.”

It is not just medical aids that are forgotten, as some absent-minded travelers have failed to take expensive items such as laptops and mobile phones when they hop off after their journey.

Not even food is seemingly safe, with Ms Retallack adding that people have also left behind cheeses and bread.

Somewhat more worrying, she went on to say that some travellers have even departed the train without their underwear.

It is not just Eurostar passengers that are prone to lapses of concentration.

Users of car hire checking into Travelodge hotels appear to be just as forgetful, with the accommodation chain revealing that last year items as diverse as a show-jumping horse, World War II medals and a pet lizard were left in its rooms.

Meanwhile, one guest may have had to find car hire after they checked-out of a Travelodge without the keys to their Porsche 911.

Perhaps the oddest item found by hotel cleaners is a life-size cut-out of comedian Lenny Henry, which was left behind at the Dumfries branch of the accommodation chain.

While these seem like the kinds of things that people would struggle to fail to remember when departing a train or checking out of a hotel, those who forget items such as hats, books and umbrellas seem to be in good company.

Ms Retallack stated that these are among the most common possessions left behind.

Travellers may also want to spare a thought for those who will find their forgotten items.

A spokesperson for National Express revealed that its cleaning staff have had to handle false teeth that have been left behind on its coaches.

However, one particularly gutsy worker was given the task of removing a live snake from a bus after its owner departed the vehicle without it.

It is not just the embarrassment of calling a company to reclaim these items or the thought of the poor souls who have to herd up all of the Lenny Henry cut-outs and live animals left on trains and in hotel rooms that people should take into account.

Many insurers do not pay out on a travel policy if an item is left behind by accident, however, they do provide cover from accidental damage or loss in transit, which would leave car hire users protected if their luggage was to go missing at an airport, those planning flights from Heathrow may be interested to hear.

Rachel Croft, head of Post Office travel insurance, commented that those with a policy can “rest easy” in the knowledge that they are safeguarded should a bag be lost.

With this in mind, users of car hire planning a getaway may want to make sure that they not only remember to pack their Lenny Henry cut-outs and pet snakes when they head on holiday, but that they also purchase insurance as well so they are covered should these prized possessions be lost in transit.

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