A russian string quartet due to play a prestigious concert at Malvern is facing a "logistical nightmare" because of UK flight baggage restrictions.

Many international musicians returning from playing in the UK are being hit by the cabin baggage ban which came into force last month following the terror alert at British airports on Thursday, August 10.

Now St Petersburg String Quartet has had its travel plans disrupted in advance of its Autumn in Malvern Festival concert at Malvern Priory on Sunday, October 15.

The quartet was due to fly into London on Sunday, September 24, before jetting on to Guernsey to play on Wednesday, September 27.

But restrictions mean they will have to take a ferry from Weymouth to Guernsey because their treasured instruments cannot be trusted to the aircraft baggage hold.

UK manager Maureen Phillips said they would be taking "a huge risk" in flying to Sweden for a concert on Saturday, September 30, by putting instruments in the forward hold, which is temperature-controlled and normally used to transport pets.

The quartet normally travels with a £60,000 cello - which they book a seat for - and carry two violins , one worth about £100,000, and a £60,000 viola, as hand luggage.

But under new restrictions, they have to go in the hold.

Their worry will not be over when they leave Malvern - they have to travel to Spain for a concert.

Mrs Phillips said: "Logistically, it's been an absolute nightmare trying to work with all these restrictions.

"It was a real decision to take to put the instruments in the hold on the way to Sweden because people have had them damaged in there before.

"They're not insured in the hold and so if they get damaged they're without an instrument for the rest of the tour and also it affects their livelihood."

For an Autumn in Malvern Festival brochure, visit Malvern Theatres, Malvern Library or the town's tourist information centre. Alternatively, call the centre on 01684 892277. Tickets are available at the theatres on 01684 892277. More information is available at www.malvernfestival.co.uk.