A 62-year-old Muslim preacher arrested and detained by anti-terror police has been released without charge.

Asif Farooqui, known as Shayk Asif Hussain Farooqui, was arrested at his home in Willows Lane, Deane, early last Monday morning.

He was questioned by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, along with four other men arrested in Greater Manchester and at Heathrow Airport.

Police said there was no imminent terrorist danger to the Greater Manchester area and the arrests were related to an alleged overseas threat.

The other four men have been charged on the evidence from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit the Crown Prosecution Service.

Munir Ahmed Farooqi, aged 52, of Victoria Terrace, Longsight is charged with soliciting or encouraging another to murder another person or persons, contrary to Section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He is also charged with the intention of assisting others to commit acts of terrorism, namely violent jihad, engaged in conduct in preparation of giving effect to that intention, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Haris Farooqi, aged 26, of Stockport Road, Levenshulme is charged with the intention of assisting others to commit acts of terrorism, namely violent jihad, engaged in conduct in preparation of giving effect to that intention, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Matthew Ronald Newton, aged 28, of Rydal Walk, Stalybridge is charged with the intention of assisting others to commit acts of terrorism, namely violent jihad, engaged in conduct in preparation of giving effect to that intention, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Israr Hussain Malik, aged 21, of Bowdon Avenue, Fallowfield is charged with the intention to commit acts of terrorism, namely violent jihad, engaged in conduct in preparation of giving effect to that intention, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

They will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates Court in London today.