Christmas Puddings Set Off Alarm

Stop that pudding!

Security officers at Manchester airport have uncovered a new threat to public safety - the traditional English Christmas puddings that X-ray scanners are mistaking for Semtex explosives.

“The security system is designed to detect organic matter like Semtex, and Christmas puddings have an unusual density which alerts the system,” an airport spokesman said Wednesday on customary condition of anonymity.

Hundreds of Britons getting away for the holidays have taken along the puddings - made of flour, eggs, suet, dried fruit and spices - which ooze brandy and calories.

Security officers have had to examine hundreds of bags before allowing them onto aircraft.

“The system is simply doing its job and doing it extremely well,” the spokesman said.