The airport has introduced increased security

Managers at East Midlands Airport say they are concerned about the growing number of joke threats being made to their staff.

The regional airport, located at Castle Donington in Leicestershire, has not received any specific terrorist threats, but has had an increase in joke threats.

Airport management says it takes any comments of a threatening nature extremely seriously.

Passengers could be searched, arrested and banned from flying if they make joke threats.

Less baggage

An airport spokesman said: "People are in high spirits when about to go on holiday, but we advise travellers that the security and safety of all passengers and staff remain our highest priority."

"Any threats or inappropriate comments relating to security - no matter how absurd - will be taken seriously, and could result in the passenger being searched and questioned.

"Passengers even risk being offloaded from their flight, or being arrested."

The airport was put on heightened security alert last week following fears of a terror attack in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the airport said the extra security was in line with measures being put in elsewhere in the country.

The airport is asking passengers to keep baggage to a minimum due to the increased security checks.

Passengers are also being told to keep any sharp objects inside their baggage.