With the UK summer just a month away, Brits are looking forward to enjoying some well-deserved time off. However, while UK holidaymakers make the most out of hopping on a number of flights to , experts are urging travellers to be aware of a to prevent any trouble being caused.

Most rules are very clear and known amongst travellers. However, this specific one is known to have caught out Brits whilst being abroad. Now, Simon Hood, travel expert and executive director of John Mason International is warning Brits of one common habit that can cause unnecessary travel delays when connecting between two or more separate flights to reach your destination - a practice known as self-connecting flights.

The expert is urging people to resist from opening their until reaching their final destination.

Most holidaymakers like to take advantage of the VAT-free deals on everything from alcohol to perfumes. However, breaking the seal on duty-free bags or losing the receipt to your bottle of fizz could result in an item seizure by airport staff, the expert warns.

He said: "In duty-free, there's a reason why store assistants put your items in clearly labelled bags and provide you with a receipt. It's an evidential mark you haven't bought unauthorised liquids or goods on your trip and into the airport.

"Breaking duty-free seals before you clear customers and arrive at your destination could result in an item seizure. Airport security in stricter countries like Australia or are especially known to scrutinise duty-free purchases."

According to the team John Mason International at the "safest bet" is to avoid removing duty-free seals in the airport, and in the airport of the connecting flight.

The warning comes as ICF revealed that more than 55 million tourists took self-connecting flights last year, with the numbers expected to rise this year, marking that means of holiday travel is becoming more popular with UK holidaymakers.

So next time you plan to pick up some good while boarding a connecting flight, as tempting as it might be, save yourself the trouble and wait until you have reached your destination to enjoy what you've managed to pick up.