New figures published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suggests the total number of laser attacks on aircraft last year totalled 1,258.

While the number is down from 2015’s total of 1,439 the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) believes laser incidents pose a major problem for aviation safety.

Steve Landells, Balpa flight safety specialist said: "We are concerned that at more than three reports a day this figure is still dangerously high.

"We’re also concerned that under-reporting of incidents could mean that we don’t have a true idea of the scale of the problem.”

According to data from the CAA, attacks at Glasgow airport doubled over the space of last year – with 83 incidents at the terminal in 2016, up from 44 the previous year.

The increase makes the Scottish airport the second most targeted airport after Heathrow, BBC News reports.

Heathrow experienced 151 laser attacks last year, while there were a “high number” of incidents reported at Birmingham and Manchester.

Laser attacks at Edinburgh airport dropped from 55 to 44 in 2016.

Landells said Balpa welcomed the new Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill – introduced to the House of Commons yesterday (February 27) which will make it an offence to shine or direct a laser in the direction of a vehicle.

He added: "Balpa wants to see these people stopped before they commit this reckless act and we hope that the bill will give police and authorities the powers to ensure they don’t happen in the first place."