[bbfan1991]

First there were snakes on a plane and now a group of giant snails have caused a furore at Glasgow Airport.



A collection of 36 live African land snails were seized from a passenger's luggage at the Scottish airport earlier this month.

Customs officials discovered the shelled creatures when a man arrived at the airport from Amsterdam.

The molluscs had been resting comfortably among the Nigerian passenger's belongings who said they were to be used as food.

The snails averaged about 15cm in length (Picture: PA)

Officer seized the snails, which averaged about 15cm in length, after the man failed to produce an import licence on request.

Scotland border force official Murdo MacMillan said: 'The vigilance of our officers at Glasgow Airport has stopped these snails from entering Scotland, and possibly posing a risk to our native plants and wildlife.

'I would warn travellers not to attempt to bring live animals into the UK without a permit, or to bring in any products of animal origin which may contain pests or diseases.'