A MAN was arrested in Church on Thursday night on suspicion of committing terrorist offences.

The man is being quizzed by police along with two other men from Blackburn who were arrested at Manchester Airport under the Terrorism Act 2006.

The men are aged 21, 22 and 23. It is not known whether the two men arrested at the airport had been on a flight or not. Specialist officers from Lancashire Constabulary and the Greater Manchester Counter Terrorism Unit made the arrests.

Police declined to give any further details regarding the arrests at the airport and said they were not in a position to say how they made the third arrest in Church.

After the arrests they cordoned off two streets in Whalley Range and Audley Range in Blackburn where they searched properties.

Chief Superintendent Andy Rhodes Divisional Commander for Eastern Division, said: "Lancashire Constabulary will investigate any information that is passed to us and ensure it is accurate, before responding in a proportionate and measured way.

"These arrests and subsequent searches of nearby premises will be conducted with sensitivity and carried out as quickly as possible to ensure minimum impact on the three areas concerned. However, these types of enquiries can be complex and may take time to resolve.

"I would ask local residents to be patient with us and to be assured that we will keep them updated in relation to the investigation as and when we can."

A spokesman for mail order giant Express Gifts off Henry Street, Church, confirmed today (Friday): "A man was arrested at Express Gifts last night. Because of ongoing police enquiries we cannot comment further."