British holidaymakers spend a staggering £144 million replacing lost items each year.

According to a new survey, over half of the nation’s households (53%) have misplaced a major item when they have gone away.

The most commonly forgotten items were clothing, left behind by 20% of respondents, followed by glasses and sunglasses (15%), phone chargers (13%) and toothbrushes (12%).

The survey of 2,000 British holidaymakers by FlightDelays.co.uk found that more than four-fifths bought a replacement for something they’d lost, and spent an average of £27.35 doing so.

Ten per cent of travellers have forgotten vital prescription medicines or contraception.

But not only are there worries about forgetting personal items; two thirds of Brits spend their flight worrying about whether they have left electrical items on at home or forgotten to lock the doors.

The survey also revealed that over a third (37%) of Brits go on holiday twice a year, with the average holiday costing £836, not including the £408 spending money.

Statistics from the Office for National Statistics revealed UK residents made a whopping 12 million visits abroad in 2016.

Steve Phillips, at flight compensation experts Flightdelays.co.uk, said: “Booking a holiday abroad can cost a heck of a lot, especially when you consider flights, hotels, insurance and entertainment for the kids.

“But imagine adding more money to that cost to replace items you’ve actually already got – how annoying!

“Although we can’t help you replace your forgotten holiday items, if your flight was delayed or cancelled, you could be entitled to compensation if your flight arrived or departed from an EU-based airport in the last six years.”

Most commonly forgotten items;

Item of clothing                                19%

Glasses / Sunglasses                       15%

Phone charger                                   13%

Toothbrush                                        12%

First aid items or medication       11%

Sun tan lotion                                    10%

Toiletries                                             10%

Female sanitary items                    8%

Food / Snacks                                    6%

Swimwear                                           5%