29 December 2010 Last updated at 06:23 ET

Cardiff Airport staff seize passenger's frozen turkey

Airport officials want passengers to be aware of items not allowed on board a plane

Security staff confiscated a frozen turkey a holidaymaker tried to smuggle on to a flight from Cardiff Airport.

The bird was wanted for a festive meal by the man heading for Malaga as he was worried he would not find one in Spain.

It tops a list of bizarre items seized from passengers which also includes a chainsaw, life-jackets, a goldfish and a briefcase full of bricks.

Airport officials are urging passengers to check what they are allowed to take before trying to board their plane.

A spokesman said: "Finding a turkey in hand-luggage is one of the most strange things we've ever found.

Items seized at Cardiff Airport

• A 10lb frozen turkey
• A palm tree in a sand bag
• A butcher's knife
• A briefcase full of bricks
• Life-jackets
• A goldfish
• A chainsaw
• Two unpacked armchairs
• Source: Cardiff Airport

"The passenger was quite puzzled about why they couldn't take it on board with them.

"But we had to confiscate it - and it was destroyed, of course."

When challenged by security staff the passenger asked: "Why are you making a fuss - will it thaw at 30,000ft?"

He was informed it was illegal to take perishable foodstuffs abroad without proper permission.

Officials have revealed the finds in a bid to speed-up safety checks.

The airport's services and security manager Ceri Mashlan said: "It's important for passengers to make sure they're aware of what you can and can't carry on an aircraft before they travel to the airport."