BRITISH anti terrorist officers discovered a "significant" amount of Semtex and bomb making equipment yesterday following several raids in London.
Commander John Grieve, the head of the anti terrorist squad, said there had been no arrests and refused to state exactly where the explosives had been found.
"As a result of extensive inquiries by the anti terrorist branch, officers visited and searched a number of premises in the London area overnight. We have recovered significant amounts of explosives and bomb making equipment. Inquiries and forensic evidence gathering are continuing," he said.
Police believe the explosives were to be used in a series of bomb attacks similar to the IRA bus bomb on Sunday and the device detonated by anti terrorist officers last week after being found in a telephone box on Charing Cross Road.
The British Home Secretary, Mr Michael Howard, described the discovery of explosives as "encouraging" and stressed that the police would "spare no effort" to prevent further bomb attacks.
Scotland Yard refused to discuss the details of the find, but it is understood to include several kilos of Semtex, timers and wires.
Police believe the occupants of the houses were forced to abandon their "factories" following the IRA bus bomb "own goal".
Police sources say the bomb was carried in a brief case onto the bus and they confirmed yesterday an automatic pistol had been found at the scene.