PASSENGERS are being advised to take care packing their suitcases after a grandfather sparked a major security alert at a Spanish airport.

The unnamed man, in his sixties, delayed a plane from Fuerteventura Airport, in the Canary Islands, on its return to Teesside International Airport on Wednesday for an hour and a half.

Metallic toy pistols in his luggage had shown up on the x-ray machines as the man stood in the queue for his Airtours plane, unaware he was the most wanted person in the terminal.

He was led away by airport security and questioned by local police.

A fellow passenger said: "We were stood in the queue to get on the plane but nothing was happening. We could see the aeroplane, but did not know what was going on.

"Eventually, the man was led away by guards. When he returned he just smiled and thought it was a joke. I don't know if the guns were confiscated by the police, but they certainly looked very real."

It was later discovered the guns were a present for the man's grandson.

Airport security has been stepped up following last week's attacks in New York and Washington.

Another passenger said: "We were warned about carrying dangerous things in our suitcases.

"We were told we could not even carry nail files in our hand luggage - and he was carrying toy guns."

A spokeswoman from Airtours would not comment on the flight delay.

She did, however, issue advice to passengers preparing for holidays.

She said: "Hand luggage may be taken, but only essential items. Anything that might cause security problems, such as razors, nail files or Stanley knives are not permitted and should be left at home."

No one from the airport was available for comment last night