London: Police today (Apr 20, 2004) smashed a suspected Islamic terror plot to bomb a target in Greater Manchester.

Ten people were arrested in a series of raids by officers from four police forces.

One possible target was the Trafford Centre, visited daily by thousands of shoppers, police said.

The raids came after an extensive surveillance operation involving special branch and the security services.

Those held are believed to include a mix of nationalities but all are being investigated for links to extremist Islamic groups.

Police declined to say if they had recovered weapons or explosives.

An area was cordoned off outside a takeaway restaurant near the city centre. Police also arrested a man at a flat above the restaurant.

The operation comes less than a month after eight men were detained in raids across the South-East, leading to the recovery of 600 kg of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, which can be used in bomb making.