FIVE men including a security guard at a Church firm are now being held by police in connection with an alleged terrorist plot to kill the Prime Minister.

Express Gifts this week confirmed that one of the men being quizzed is a security guard at their premises in Henry Street.

He was arrested at the workplace a week last Thursday and two other men were arrested at Manchester Airport under the Terrorism Act of 2006 on the same day.

All three men are in there early 20s and live in Blackburn.

Police were granted an extension to continue questioning the three last Friday.

This extension was due to run out at 7pm yesterday (Thursday) and the police refused to indicate whether they would be seeking a further extension.

On Tuesday a 25-year-old man, also from Black-burn, was arrested by Lancashire Police and a 29-year-old man was held in Derby by the Greater Manchester Counter-Terr-orism Unit.

It has been reported that the arrests are linked to Internet threats to kill Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former PM Tony Blair.

It is understood that although no definite plan was in place, there were calls for Mr Brown’s death on an extremist website dating back to January.

Authorities are currently searching four premises in Blackburn and one in Derby for information .

Chief Superintendent Andy Rhodes, divisional commander for Eastern Division, said: "This is a very sensitive time for all our communities and we are working hard to ensure everyone is kept up to date with as much information as we can give.

"I would like to thank local residents affected by the arrests for their co-operation and ask that they remain patient. We will ensure people are kept updated in relation to the investigation as and when we can."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "Lancashire Police are to be congratulated on both their vigilance and their sensitivity in the way in which they have carried out their work here.

"I recognise that these are difficult times for East Lancashire’s diverse communities but it is now more important than ever that we stick together.

"I know that I speak for all the communities in Hyndburn when I say that the police deserve our full support."