The police officer who led the investigation into the Glasgow Airport terror attack has praised the bravery of the "have-a-go heroes" who foiled the plot.

Ten years on from the attack, David Swindle said the quick and selfless actions of bystanders at the scene averted a major tragedy.

Two men, Kafeel Ahmed and Bilal Abdulla, attempted to drive a Jeep loaded with gas canisters into the main terminal of the airport on Saturday, June 30, 2007.

Their vehicle hit a concrete stanchion just outside the terminal but the bomb failed to explode, prompting them to try to ignite it themselves and throw petrol bombs at the building.

Baggage handler John Smeaton's efforts to tackle Ahmed, who later died from burns sustained in the attack, became the most famous example of those who intervened on the day.

Others, including a taxi driver and and airport desk worker were also involved in the immediate aftermath.

Mr Swindle, who has retired from a 34-year policing career, told STV News: "Fortunately if it wasn't for some of these have-a-go heroes there could have been casualties, because Kafeel Ahmed was throwing lit bottles towards the airport.

"You can never get into the mind of the terrorists, and the people who want to intervene.

"Good on them."

Ahmed was the only fatality in the attack, while Abdulla was later sentenced to life in jail and ordered to serve at least 32 years behind bars.

In the days before the Glasgow Airport incident, they had failed in an attempt to detonate a car bomb near the Tiger Tiger nightclub in London.

Mr Swindle, who led the investigation into the attack, noted that the 2007 incident was the first time terrorists had attempted to use a vehicle as a suicide bomb in the UK.

He said: "What happened was a determined effort by individuals to kill people and to frighten people.

"Fortunately, the concrete stanchion stopped that vehicle going in, where there were hundreds and thousands of people going on their holidays - it was the first day of the school holidays."

Mr Swindle also praised the quick response from emergency services and airport staff on the scene.

He said: "I have never dealt with anything so fast moving in my whole police career."