POLICE in Manchester on Monday carried out a series of raids under the Terrorism Act which one report links to possible attacks on the Trafford Centre.

Sky News says the arrests are linked to a suspected terror plot, possibly targeting the Trafford Centre - Britain's biggest indoor shopping centre.

The centre has 200 shops, a selection of restaurants and an 18-lane bowling alley.

Police have been advising shopping centres and sports centres around the country on security against terror attacks.

Police later refused to comment on suggestions that the Trafford Centre was a specific terrorist target.

And sources close to the Centre's management dismissed the comments as speculation.