A MAN who claimed he had a bomb in his luggage at an airport was arrested by police, it was revealed last night.

The man, a publican from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, made the claim at Teesside Airport, near Darlington, on Sunday.

The publican, who has not been named, was travelling to Dublin when he told staff at the check-in desk he had a bomb in his bag.

Making such a claim is against the law under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act, and staff called in police.

John Waiting, customer services and public relations manager at the airport, said such incidents were always treated seriously.

He said: "People who make false statements about what is in their luggage run the risk of being fined or even jailed.

"We had a similar incident previously where the people were fined in a magistrates' court.

"All airports take these situations seriously. And bearing in mind he was travelling to Ireland, his statements about having a bomb in his bag were even more inappropriate.

"It is foolhardy to make such a comment. It is a criminal offence and people are warned about it."

A police spokesman said: "The man made statements as to having a bomb in his bag and was arrested after check-in staff called police.

"He was taken to Darlington police station for questioning and was later released."

The spokesman added that police were dealing with the situation last night