Airport passengers 'leave $400K a year at security'

US travellers leave more than $400,000 (£260,000) in loose change at airport security each year, it has been revealed.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) collected $376,480.39 (£245,000) in US coins and $32,605.17 (£20,000) in foreign currency from passengers rushing to make their flights in 2010.

New York's JFK airport topped the list, with $46,918.06 in left coins, followed by Los Angeles International airport with $19,110.83, NY Daily News reports.

"TSA makes every effort to reunite passengers with items that they leave at checkpoints, however there are instances where loose change or other items are left behind," TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said.

The money is documented and sent to the TSA financial office. Congress has allowed the cash to be used for general security operations at US airports.

Around $432,790.62 was left at US airports in 2009.

Traveller and New York resident Michael Douglas told the paper that the TSA should donate the money to charity.

"This is a wealthy state with a lot of poor people. Why not put it to use?" he said.