An Algerian man has been charged with attempting to smuggle explosives into the United States, provoking fears of a "millennium bombing" campaign.

Ahmed Ressam, 32, was arrested on the US-Canadian border near Seattle after a search of his vehicle revealed the bomb-making equipment.

Customs officials recovered two 22-ounce jars of highly volatile nitroglycerin, 118 pounds of powdered urea, used to make explosives and fertiliser, and a circuit board connected to a battery and a digital watch.

When combined the materials could be used to create a large explosion.

Mr Ressam, travelling under a false identity, was seized after border police became suspicious of his elaborate travel itinerary.

He fled after inspectors searched his car and discovered the urea, but was caught less than a mile away.

Police revealed that Mr Ressam's travel plans, after leaving his apartment in Montreal, included an overnight stop in Seattle followed by a flight to New York, connecting with a British Airways flight to London.

Appearing before a Seattle district court on Friday, Mr Ressam also faced charges of giving false information to border officials and having false identification.

Federal authorities did not say during the court hearing what he planned to do with the materials or why he was crossing the border. His lawyers refused to comment.

Millennium bombing

However US newspapers have speculated that the arrest may be linked to international terrorist activity and a millennium bombing campaign.

The Washington Post quoted unnamed officials as saying they believed Mr Ressam could be linked to Saudi militant Osama bin Laden.

The paper quoted a former intelligence official as saying the equipment carried by Mr Ressam was similar to that used previously by associates of Osama bin Laden.

Last weekend, the US Government warned its citizens travelling abroad over the New Year period that there was an increased risk of terrorist activity