Hi billy423uk!    I use Lightwave and UVMapper Pro.  I usually do two separate groupings.  The first is for UV seams.  My next step is a Planar map for the whole object.  Then I break down into parts;  Spherical for head, and eyes,  torso, Cylindrical for arms legs, Some splitting by hand I might add.  When I'm satisfied I load the model into UVMapper Pro Stitch it,  tweak it and UV relax it.  Then load it back into Lightwave and group for materials.