More time for terror raid police

A property in Earle Road, Liverpool, is among six still being searched

Anti-terror police have been granted more time to question 11 men suspected of plotting to detonate a bomb in north-west England.

Magistrates have granted officers a further week to hold seven men - aged 22 to 37 - arrested during raids in Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire.

Another four suspects, aged 23 to 41, can be held for two more days.

Most of the men are Pakistani nationals in the UK on student visas. Police searches continue at six addresses.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police, who are leading the operation, said: "Officers continue to thank the local communities affected by this operation for their co-operation and support."

Members of the North West counter-terrorism unit raided at least 14 properties in Liverpool, the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, and in Clitheroe, Lancashire, last Wednesday.

A week later, searches were continuing at two addresses in Manchester and four in Liverpool.

Police say they have not found any explosives or identified a clear target for the alleged bomb plot.

However, the BBC understands that images of the popular Arndale and Trafford Centre shopping complexes, Birdcage nightclub and St Ann's Square, all in Manchester, were found during searches.

A 12th man arrested at the time of the raids was released into the custody of the UK Border Agency, which was expected to begin deportation proceedings.