As many people prepare to jet off for Christmas Liverpool John Lennon Airport offers advice to festive flyers on how to avoid having their presents confiscated at the security gate. Tony McDonough reports.

Snow globes, Christmas crackers, perfumes and even some children’s toys will not be allowed through security in hand luggage, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is warning festive travellers.

With the growth of low cost flights, many more people now jet off for Christmas or fly to visit relatives.

However, with security at airports now tighter than ever people are being warned that many festive items may end up being confiscated at security.

Passengers are also warned to keep presents unwrapped if they are to be carried in hand luggage, as items may need to be opened.

LJLA says it has already had to refuse permission for large numbers of items to be carried in hand luggage.

These have included Christmas gifts – in particular liquid snow globes, bottles of spirits and perfumes.

The list also includes certain children’s toys, since these items are either in excess of the current liquid size restrictions or have the potential to cause or appear to be able to cause, harm to passengers or airline crew.

Christmas crackers are also prohibited by the airport from being carried in hand luggage.

Most of these items are however permitted to be carried in a suitcase and placed in the aircraft hold if passengers wish to take such presents away with them.

However, some airlines also ban Christmas crackers from hold luggage too.

David Briggs, head of customer care, terminal and landside operations for LJLA, said: “We pride ourselves for being faster, easier and friendlier and would like to remind all passengers about the restrictions in place and to help us to help them by avoiding some of the disappointment we have seen in previous years when passing through airport security.

“Allow plenty of time, come prepared and think carefully about what you are carrying in your hand luggage.”