A 16-year-old boy has been charged in the UK with attempting to acquire a biological toxin or agent.

The boy and a girl, also 16, were arrested on Monday after two addresses in the Mossley area of Greater Manchester were searched. She was later released without charge.

Greater Manchester Police said: "The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with attempting to acquire a biological toxin or agent contrary to the Criminal Attempts Act 198."

Police did not identify the substance.

The boy will appear at Tameside Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Police insisted there was no intelligence or evidence to suggest communities within the Mossley or Greater Manchester area were at risk in relation to the investigation.

They also said the investigation is not linked to an international terrorist plot.