A man has been charged with planning a terrorist attack on American military personnel in Britain.

Junead Ahmed Khan (24) is suspected of intending to commit acts of terrorism, as well as plotting to travel to Syria alongside his uncle, Shazib Ahmed Khan (22), to join the group that calls itself Islamic State.

The men from Luton are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later today.

Reporter Mark White said: "The two men were arrested a week ago in a joint operation between Bedfordshire Police and the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorist Command Unit. Armed police were involved in one of the arrests."

"The men were held following an investigation by the Met Police and there is considered to be sufficient evidence, and it is in the public interest, to charge the men with plotting terrorist acts. Both men have been remanded in custody since their arrest."

Police say searches were carried out at two addresses in the Luton area as part of the operation which forms part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism.

Deborah Walsh from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Junead Khan and Shazib Khan with the intention of committing acts of terrorism."

"It is alleged that Junead Khan and Shazib Khan had been planning on travelling to Syria to join the proscribed organisation Islamic State in Levant (Isil)."

"It is further alleged that Junead Khan was planning a terrorist attack on US military personnel in the UK and he has been charged with an additional terrorism offence to reflect this."

"The decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors."

A third man in his 30s was also arrested but released without charge yesterday evening.

The charges are:

• Count One

Junead Ahmed Khan and Shazib Ahmed Khan, between 1 August 2014 and 10 May 2015 with the intention of committing acts of terrorism engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006.

• Count Two

Junead Ahmed Khan, between 10 May 2015 and 14 July 2015, with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006.