Airport creates Christmas tree made from confiscated items – including scissors, lighters and cheese knives

Employees at an airport in Lithuania have made an unusual Christmas tree out of confiscated items.

We all have our opinions on how to decorate a festive branch, with some favouring classic baubles while others might prefer to craft their own.

But the security workers at Vilnius Airport, Lithuania’s largest aviation hub which is based in the country’s capital of the same name, took a different tack altogether.

From afar it looks like a normal Christmas tree...but take a closer look.

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The bulk of the tree is made from pairs of scissors spray-painted in a metallic silver-green shade. For “decorations”, the tree features knives, guns and lighters, which add a colourful contrast.

There’s even a tree-topper made from cheese knives – a far cry from the rather more traditional angel on the top of the tree.

Fairy lights are strung around the tree, presumable to give it a more festive look.

The airport shared pictures and videos on the tree across their social media platforms, including Facebook and LinkedIn.

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While the eye-catching design has proved popular on social media, it comes with a message for passengers to be careful with their packing.

“if you don't want your personal, yet prohibited, belongings to land on our next year's Christmas tree - better check out the baggage requirements before you pack for your next flight,” the caption on LinkedIn reads.

One in four British travellers have had items confiscated because they were unaware they had a banned substance in their luggage, according to a survey by Direct Line – with £300 million worth of belongings confiscated at UK security gates in 2017.

Water, alcohol, perfume and deodorant, together with lighters and knives, are among the top 10 most confiscated items at UK airport, it was found.

A further one in 11 admitted to trying to sneak a banned item on to a plane.