THREE men were arrested on Thursday in connection with the planting of a bomb under a car outside the Bolton home of an exiled loyalist.

The men are due to be questioned by detectives from Greater Manchester Police. It is understood the men were arrested in Northern Ireland and were brought back to the Bolton area overnight.

The men, who have not been named, are believed to be linked to loyalist activities.

The explosive device was found under a Ford Escort saloon in Windsor Grove, off Chorley Old Road, Halliwell, on December 17 last year.

The alleged target was believed to be John "Fat Jackie" Thompson, a close friend of jailed terror boss Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair.

Mr Thompson had driven the car away from his home at around 7.15am and had reached the end of the road when he heard a loud bang.

The package fell off and he found it lying on the ground.

Mr Thompson called the police and the area was cordoned off. Residents from 25 homes in Windsor Grove and nearby Oxford Grove were evacuated while the bomb disposal squad removed the device.

Mr Thompson was one of a group of 20 of Adair's supporters who sought sanctuary in Bolton after fleeing Belfast following the outbreak of a loyalist feud.