We all know that buying a bottle of water at the airport is just one of those things you have to deal with when going on holiday,but if you are jetting off from East Midlands Airport for a last minute holiday, we may have found a way around it.

You can't take water in with you, as it will just be taken off you as you go through security. But did you know what cafes at airports will readily fill up your bottled with water for free?

This will save you money - and you would be helping the environment too.

The Nottingham Post has created this step-by-step guide on to how to plan ahead:

  1. Before you travel, invest in a washable water container to replace those disposable bottles you chuck away all the time. Each year the average UK household uses 480 plastic bottles but only recycles 270 of them - meaning nearly half are NOT put in the recycling bin.
  2. You are at the airport and, before going through security to boarding, empty your water bottles, take the tops off and store both in your bag separately
  3. You are now through security. Now take your empty bottle to any of the eatery outlets - cafes or takeaway restaurants – and ask them to fill up your bottle with tap water
  4. They never refuse.
  5. Some airports have water fountains but they are often hidden away near the toilets or the boarding gates.
You'll be able to get your water bottle filled up by outlets in East Midlands Airport

Pret a Manger, Starbucks , Costa and Giraffe all filled up empty water bottles at Stanstead and outlets at all other airports, including East Midlands, will do the same.

And Starbucks said that it would fill up water bottles with tap water at any of its outlets, not just at airports.

A Starbucks spokesman confirmed its policy. He said: “Keeping our customers refreshed and hydrated is a top priority and we always want to offer a positive experience in our stores.

“We’re happy to fill up our customers’ water bottles with tap water in our UK stores – just ask!”

East Midlands Airport confirmed it has a water fountain in the area beyond security screening. Its spokesman suggested asking a security staff member to point out the exact location.

Pret a Manger, Costa and Giraffe spokesmen were not able to comment on their company's policy.