Doctors at The Computer World, a new retail division of www.timecomputers.com have been battling to save a laptop which contracted a nasty case of crabs while on holiday.

It's owner, one Angus Grant from Leeds, briefly left the machine on the beach after emailing his girlfriend. When he returned he found it- perhaps unsurprisingly - full of sand. It was, however, only when he sent the ailing device to The Computer World for some much-needed TLC that the full extent of the infection became apparent.

The Computer World, concerned that owners are not taking the necessary precautions to avoid returning home with an unwanted souvenir, have drafted a handy list of tips for would-be travellers.

Apart from the usual common-sense advice, there are a couple of critical pointers:

• Always carry your laptop in its carry case. Never check in the laptop as luggage - keep it with you as hand baggage.

Good thinking - the chances of it making it past the baggage handlers are negligible. More:

• Keep your laptop away from humidity, dust, sand and vibrations.
• 
  
• If using you laptop by the pool, keep as far back as possible to avoid the splashes of young children and divers.

In other words: Do not use to hammer in tent pegs, do not fill with sand and do not use underwater.

There is perhaps one bit of advice they could have added for the benefit of Mr Grant: Next time leave the laptop at home and take your girlfriend instead. Then she'll be right there if you need to speak to her. ®