More raids by anti-terror police

Police have more time to quiz suspects arrested in Monday's raids

Police have executed four search warrants in Manchester as part of ongoing anti-terror operations that have seen 10 people held.

Magistrates on Tuesday night allowed detectives more time to question the nine men and one woman held since dawn raids on Monday.

The Home Office has refused to comment on newspaper reports there was a plot to launch suicide bomb attacks.

Wednesday's searches were all in Denton in Tameside.

Representatives of both Manchester United and Manchester City have denied speculation their grounds may have been specifically targeted.

Security was tightened ahead of Manchester United's home game against Charlton on Tuesday night, but the event passed without incident.

Those arrested are being held under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of involvement in the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism.

Six men and the woman were arrested in Manchester, and one person each in Staffordshire, West Midlands and South Yorkshire.

All 10 have been described by police as north African or Iraqi-Kurdish in origin.

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman would not confirm how long the suspects' detention had been extended.

Under British anti-terror laws, suspects can be held for 48 hours without charge before an extension of up to five days must be sought from a magistrates' court.

"After that period the police can apply for a further seven days - making a possible total of two weeks' detention without charge," said the spokeswoman.