Two men are due to appear before magistrates today after a number of suspicious packages were found across Atherton.

Trevor Shawcross, aged 51, of Green Lane, Hindley Green, has been charged with four counts of making explosive substances under the Explosive Substances Act 1883.

Neil Harperm, aged 46, of James Street, Tyldesley, has been charged with four counts of possessing explosives under the Explosive Substances Act 1883.