X-rays of airport luggage test whether or not you can spot illegal items

Working in airport security is not a job for the faint hearted.

Tasked with managing long queues of impatient passengers eager to start their holiday, staff will often find themselves arguing over liquid limits and having to confiscate the most random of items.

It also turns out that monitoring an airport scanner is a lot harder than you'd imagine, with many potentially dangerous items proving to be very difficult for an untrained eye to spot.

In a series of scans released by Simulscan, the images reveal just what airport staff are dealing with, and some of the objects are not as obvious as you'd think.

Below is a list of six scans taken luggage - how many banned items can you spot?

Be warned some are a lot harder to spot than others.

Starting out pretty easily is this bag, can you identify what the offending item would be here?

Let's start off with an easy one (Simulscan)

If you weren't able to spot the knife in the centre of the bag then a career in airport security is not for you.

Next up is another fairly straightforward one, anything look concerning here?

Can you spot it? (Simulscan)

If you spotted this bag coming along the scanner, you'd certainly be one high alert after spotting the large outline of what appears to be gun sat right in the middle of the case.

Thankfully in this case the gun is just a toy, however airports are unsurprisingly strict on any item which looks like a weapon. But if you're really desperate to bring your laser gun with you on holiday don't worry, it can be placed in your checked luggage.

Next up is slightly more difficult but should only take you a few seconds to notice.

Workers have to have their eyes peeled for items like this (Simulscan)

Smaller than the previous two items of contraband, it's easy to understand how this one could be an oversight when packing your bag.

However if you guessed that the pliers would have flagged up on the system you're correct. Household DIY tools, such as screwdrivers, spanners and drills, are not allowed in your hand luggage.

Here's another fairly easy one, can you see it?

The object is partially visible amongst other items in the bag (Simulscan)

Granted, this one isn't as easy to spot as the first three, but anyone familiar with the shape of a firearm would be able to spot the handle of a gun peaking out from behind what looks like a set of keys.

Think you've perfected your eye for prohibited items? Lets see how you do with the last few images.

This product is also banned (Simulscan)

Now upon first glance this case looks completely fine, no glaring weapons or hidden household tools appear to be inside the bag. But keep looking - anything appear familiar? Perhaps in the bottom left corner?

If you're completely lost here is the answer. This case is holding a tub of body cream above the allowed amount of 100ml (or 3.4oz).

It's travel sizes only in your hand luggage, and if you're flying through certain airports they need to be placed in a clear plastic bag outside of your luggage.

Last up is this photo. Again, pretty inconspicuous right?

Can you spot this one? (Simulscan)

Like the previous image, this scan contains no overly concerning items at first glance, however a trained eye maybe be able to spot the aerosol can sitting in the middle of the suitcase.

Like liquids, aerosols are also subject to the 100ml/ 3.4oz rules, meaning any larger items will need to be binned if they're not in your case.

Might be worth cutting airport security a little slack next time you're travelling abroad.