Thomson travel agent Leanne Bell has set a new GuinnessWorld Record for packing a suitcase at record speed.
Bell, 24, of Thomson’s Eastbourne branch, took one minute six seconds to pack the suitcase as part of Royal Caribbean International’s Pack More In competition on board Independence of the Seas cruise ship. She has won a cruise on the ship next year.
She fought off competition from 12 other finalists at the event and beat the current world record of one minute 13 seconds, held by RCI sales assistant Lisa Clarkson.
As well as packing a variety of different items, from trainers to a rubber ring, each agent had to fold and place 15 items of clothing one at a time in the case, followed by five items they are wearing at the time.
Bell admitted she had done virtually no preparation for the world record attempt, but claimed keeping her cool had led to her win.
“I’m a very calm person and I’m not the type of person to get hugely nervous. Being fast and being calm probably helped,” said Leanne, who added that she always packs “at the last minute” when going on holiday.
Leanne Bull beat the time of one minute 13 seconds to set a new world record
Bell was invited to first try her luck in the competition when RCI visited agents nationwide this summer as part of its broader Pack More Into Your Holiday sales and marketing campaign.
The agents who packed a bag the fastest in each region of the country were invited to the finals on board Independence and also got the chance to explore the ship and have lunch on board.
The other finalists were: Christian Boyd, of Iglu.com, Wimbledon; Jon Haworth of Cruise Thomas Cook, Accrington; Lindsay Joy, of Oasis Travel, Lisburn; Charles Kasper, of Hays Travel, Jarrow; Lisa McNamara, of 1 Stop Travel, Galway; Christopher Milnne, of Thomas Cook, Coventry; Nicola Neeks, of Ideal Cruising, Crawley; Laura Paterson, of The Cruise Specialist, Larbert, Falkirk; Kelly Snape, of Somewhere2Travel 2, Ilfracombe, Devon; Jennet Storey, of Thomas Cook Cruise Team, Accrington; James Grant, of The Co-op Travel, Coatbridge; and Claire Wile, of First Choice, Wrexham.