Firearms 'Link To Northern Ireland'

Two firearms and two improvised incendiary explosives discovered hidden deep in a forest on the Isle of Wight may be linked to historical Northern Ireland terrorism, police said.

The items include ammunition and have been there for several years, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. They were uncovered by a walker with his dog in Parkhurst Forest near Newport.

A spokesman for the force said:

 ''One line of inquiry is that they are linked to historical Northern Ireland-related terrorism.''

They were found on August 24. The 395-hectare Forestry Commission-managed woodland is used for recreation and is a haven for wildlife. It is the second largest forest on the island.

The PSNI is assisting the South East Counter Terrorism Unit.