Background

IT changed the air travel habits of a nation.

Liquid bombs created with ingenuity from everyday materials alleged to be at the centre of a terrorist conspiracy were the catalyst for a tranche of security measures across the country's airports - which are still being felt.

The police operation on August 9 and 10, 2006, to round up suspects in the case led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights in and out of Britain.

After the alleged plot was uncovered, the authorities banned passengers from carrying most liquids on board aircraft and restricted hand luggage allowances. Today liquids can be carried on to planes but must be held in clear plastic containers.

Woolwich Crown Court was yesterday told that the alleged plotters experimented with 500ml plastic Oasis and Lucozade bottles.

The prosecution claimed the bombs made use of similar ingredients to those already used in terrorist atrocities, with the main charge detonated with a chemical known as HMTD.

The jury was told the detonator would be concealed inside AA 1.5 volt batteries and plugged with foam which would then be ignited using a metal wire, a small bulb or the flash from a disposable camera.

The chemicals were to be mixed with a sugary powdered drink, Tang, to add power to the blasts and aide the subterfuge, it was claimed.

The court heard the defendants planned to inject the liquid into the base of the bottles in order for them to appear untouched. After police announced they were holding 24 people in custody in London following overnight raids by anti-terror officers and MI5, emergency restrictions introduced in airports caused travel chaos.

All passengers were hand searched, and their footwear and all items they were carrying were X-rayed.

Laptop computers, mobile phones and iPods were among the items banned from being carried on board.

Travellers were not allowed to take liquids or other hand luggage, apart from travel documents and essential prescriptions, on board.

The Department for Transport said after the alleged plot was uncovered that the threat from liquid explosives formed a "step change" in the threats faced.

Terrorists first attempted to use liquid explosives to blow up aircraft in the "Bojinka" plot 13 years ago in Manila.

But senior government officials warned the 200 million passengers who pass through British airports would face high levels of security "permanently" in the wake of the alleged plot.

Officials indicated that any relaxation of the rules would depend on the development of technology able to detect all explosive liquids.

In January, there was a relaxation at some British airports of the one-cabin-bag-only security rule.

Liquids are allowed, but containers must be no bigger than 100ml and they have to be held in a clear plastic bag.

The eight men on trial are accused of conspiracy to murder and a charge of planning acts of violence likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft.

Both charges carry maximum sentences of life imprisonment.