Hidden hand-luggage horrors!

TWO in five holidaymakers think that the carry-on security regulations at airports are confusing, and the uncertainty is leading to some bizarre hand-luggage discoveries. Despite the 100ml law coming into force nearly six years ago, 36 per cent of Brits don’t know what constitutes a ‘liquid’ under airport regulations (60 per cent believing baked beans are exempt), 28 per cent don’t think water counts as a ‘liquid’, while 44 per cent admit to not even knowing about the 100ml rule!

All this according to a new survey commissioned by London Stansted Airport.

This poll of 2,000 adult travellers also revealed confusion about cosmetics, with 82 per cent believing lipstick doesn’t need to be placed in a clear plastic bag for security checks.

John Farrow, Head of Terminal at London Stansted Airport, said: “We’re constantly amazed by some of the bizarre items that people try to take through security – some of which simply can’t be mentioned!”

The top ten strangest items confiscated there include crustaceans, snowglobes, dirty nappies and a pair of pink furry handcuffs.

Someone even tried to get a sweet jar containing live goldfish through the metal detectors.

Perhaps the weirdest of all was the tub of human body fat someone tried to take with them on holiday.

Around one in five holidaymakers have been stopped on more than more occasion and a quarter of those questioned admitted having an item confiscated prior to flying.

The most common excuse was: “Oh, I forgot they were in my bag!”

Yes, I can see how easy it must be to overlook that air rifle, machete and slingshot.

Not to mention all those drills and sanders.

Despite these findings, stops at airport security are a real problem for UK airports because they cause delays and increase queues.

All the more so with the increased traffic with the run up to the July Olympics.

Security breaches, bomb scares, full body scanners, inconsistent airport regulations and immigration queues have all contributed to holidaymakers feeling increasingly frustrated and confused with air travel.

So, while some may reach for a triple whisky in flight, maybe it’s hardly surprising that others seek the comfort blanket of their pet gold fish.

Or those pink furry handcuffs … Ah, time for my medication. NURSE!!!

Nora Johnson’s novels, Soul Stealer & The De Clerambault Code (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/ eBook (€0.89; £0.77) and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca