UK baggage rules relaxed

The government has announced that it is relaxing the security measures at airports around the country in relation to hand luggage.

Stringent rules were put in place last month amid a security alert, with home secretary John Reid stating that the measures were necessary as part of an operation to prevent a major terrorist attack.

Officials were concerned over a threat of liquid explosives and put in place a series of strict regulations that saw a ban on liquids being carried in hand luggage.

However, concerns over such an attack have now receded somewhat and the government has announced that hand luggage must now not exceed the dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, which is about the size of a small roller suitcase.

But the restrictions over liquids are set to remain in place and while musical instruments ? which were previously not allowed as hand luggage ? will be allowed to be carried on once again, although they will have to be screened separately.