A RELAXED attitude to packing can all too often result in holiday headaches.

Most of us recall a time we packed every item we own - then unpacked them a week or so later, most of them unworn.

Lugging your wardrobe halfway across the world restricts your freedom as a traveller.

The return journey is inevitably worse.

You're forced to loop bags of souvenirs over each shoulder, balance packages under each arm and hook bags of duty free on your little fingers, resulting in a miserable journey.

But it needn't be that way - the simple solution is packing ligh . . . a skill few possess.

Globetrotting Lauren Johnson, 23, of Burnley, is a seasoned traveller and a devotee of packing light.

"I plan what I'm going to take and then I put half of it back," said Lauren, who has travelled to Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam and Florence this year.

"You always think you'll need more than you actually do.

"I believe in taking the absolute minimum so I always check the weather forecast and plan out exactly what I'll be doing with the help of travel guides.

"Then I know exactly what I'll need and what shoes to take."

Lauren says the key is making sure everything you pack can be worn in different ways.

"I make sure every item of clothing goes with everything." she said.

"It's no good taking a T-shirt that only goes with one skirt. You have to take things that you can easily mix and match.

"I find black and white flip flops work well with most outfits.

"Accessorising with scarves and jewellery also can make an outfit look different."

And once you have decided what you're taking, it's time to actually put it all in the case.

Hilary Cookson, owner of Maureen Cookson's ladieswear, Whalley, believes the best way is to roll.

"Rolling is how naval officers and the Army are taught to pack their kit bags," said Hilary, who gives talks on how to pack a suitcase.

"For trousers, if you place a piece of tissue paper between each leg then a tissue layer on the top leg and start to roll as tightly as possible from the foot end to the waist they won't crease.

"The tissue paper is very important, and you must roll as tightly as possible.

"If you do get creases, fill the bottom of the bath with hot water, hang the clothes over the bath, pull across the shower curtain and the creases will drop out.

"As far as toiletries go, buy small tubs and decant your products."

Another good tip Hilary has learnt over the years is to make things easy for yourself next year.

"When you come back make a list of what you wore and what you didn't - how many trousers, T-shirts, dresses - and leave this in your case so you'll find it next year.

"If you pop a tumble dryer sheet in there too your case will smell reasonably fresh, too, and not of last year's sand."

An important element of being a good packer is coming to terms with the fact that it is not necessary to include an outfit for every conceivable occasion, or to bring medicine for every ailment known to man.

"Even Kathmandu has a 24-hour medical centre," said Hilary.

"You will have access to medicine if you need it."