Airline passengers travelling to the UK from Middle Eastern countries are to be banned from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices onboard, according to reports.

The move follows a similar measure announced on Tuesday by the US authorities affecting flights originating in eight mainly Muslim countries.

Passengers flying to the States from 10 airports will no longer be allowed to have any electronic devices apart from mobiles phones in the cabin.

The US government cited unspecified threats as the reason for the new rules.

The Department for Transport, which leads on UK aviation security policy, refused to comment on whether it is implementing a similar ban.

The reports come weeks after it was revealed that UK security services have foiled 13 potential attacks in less than four years, while counter-terrorism units are running more than 500 investigations at any time.

The official threat level for international terrorism has stood at severe, meaning an attack is "highly likely", for more than two years.

US president Donald Trump has attempted to introduce a travel ban aimed at people from Muslim-majority countries, which has run into trouble in the US courts.

A complete ban on taking liquids on board aircraft was brought in on August 10 2006 - the day after a terror plot gang planning to blow up transatlantic flights was arrested.

The members of the al Qaida-inspired cell planned to detonate home-made liquid bombs on flights bound for major North American cities.

The ban was later relaxed and current rules state that travellers can carry liquids or gels in 100ml containers which must fit into a resealable bag measuring 20cm by 20cm.

The security rules led to scenes of frustration at airport security desks when passengers are forced to throw away drinks containers, bottles of perfume and tubes of sun cream before boarding planes.

Major airlines and airports have called for the regulations to be further eased or reviewed.

The restrictions have cost the aviation industry millions of pounds due to extra security staff and delays.

In July 2014 security was further increased at UK airports amid reports two terror networks were working together on a bomb that could evade existing measures.

All passengers were advised by the DfT to ensure their electronic devices were charged so they could be switched on, or face not being allowed to take them onto the aircraft.

The measure was first announced by the US authorities.