Police probe packages found at UK and US airports

British counter terrorism detectives were liaising with colleagues in the United States tonight over reports of suspicious packages on cargo flights.

Officials are investigating reports of several packages on aircraft in the eastern United States cities of Philadelphia and Newark, New Jersey.

In Britain, parts of East Midlands Airport were sealed off earlier following the discovery of a suspicious package.

Police called to a freight distribution building and a number of offices at the Donington site were examining a suspicious package.

Several aircraft, including a United Parcel Service jet in Philadelphia, were moved to a remote location so law enforcement officials can investigate.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said reports that a suspected bomb has been found on a flight in London were inaccurate.

Reports in the United States said a suspicious toner cartridge was found on a cargo plane that landed in London on a flight from Yemen bound for Chicago.

It has been claimed that tests found no traces of explosives.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We are not aware of anything in London. There is a police operation ongoing at East Midlands airport."