ALL sorts of weird and wonderful things have been left behind in the Travelodge hotels around Swindon.

The chain revealed the most unusual items which ended up in its lost and found boxes last year - including a pet tortoise, a giant gingerbread house and a very cheesy wedding cake.

Guests at the Swindon Central hotel forgot to take home their folding digital piano, Silver Cross Balmoral pram, degree certificate, briefcase filled entirely with sunglasses, and a gingerbread house.

Meanwhile, in the West Swindon hotel, visitors somehow left without an eight-tier wedding cake made out of cheese, a full-length mirror with spotlights, a telescope, a vintage engagement ring, and a pet tortoise called Tiny Tim.

The number of bookings at both hotels soared after the last lockdown restrictions eased during the summer, which led to more forgetful guests leaving important items in their rooms after checking out.

Shakila Ahmed from Travelodge said: “In 2021, following Freedom Day, we welcomed back millions of customers to our 582 UK Travelodge hotels including our hotels in Swindon, and we saw a significant increase in bookings.

"This has led to a range of interesting items being left behind by our customers across our UK hotels.

"This year’s Lost & Found audit includes a rise in holiday themed items, wedding props, precious sentimental items, smart gadgets and beloved pets. This included a 6ft flower arch made from white roses, a Chewbacca costume, a collection of Roald Dahl books and even a groom!

“When it comes to why so many of our customers forget their treasured items, it’s basically due to us all being time poor, juggling multiple tasks and being in a hurry to get from A to B. In the rush, valuable possessions are easily forgotten.”

The most common items left in Travelodge rooms include mobile phones, tablets, Kindles, chargers for those devices, books, teddy bears, toiletry bags, jewellery, clothes, toys, business papers, notebooks, presentations, and presents.

All items left behind in Travelodge hotels which have not been claimed within three months are donated to the nearest British Heart Foundation charity shops, the hotel chain's nominated charity partner.