Two more men have been remanded over the alleged transatlantic jet bomb plot, while the last three detainees were freed after 28 days in custody.

Donald "Don" Stewart Whyte, of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, and Mohammed Usman Saddique, of Walthamstow in east London, are accused of preparing acts of terrorism.

Whyte also faces firearms charges, including illegal possession of an 8mm Baikal pistol, a silencer and ammunition.

Prosecutors allege the pair plotted to "smuggle the component parts of improvised explosive devices onto aircraft and assemble and detonate them on board".

They breached the Terrorism Act 2006 between 1 January and August 10, according to their charge sheets.

Whyte and Saddique were remanded at Westminster City magistrates' court today.

But late last night three of their fellow detainees have been released without charge - four weeks after being arrested.

Officers have grilled them continuously at the high security Paddington Green police station, but failed to find evidence against them.

It is the first time suspects have been held for longer than the two weeks allowed under previous anti-terror laws.

The Terrorism Act 2006 permits up to 28 days of detention before suspects have to be either charged or released.

The latest releases mean a total of seven of the 24 people initially arrested over the alleged plane plot have now been freed.

Fifteen have been charged earlier. Of these, 11 were remanded on charges of conspiracy to murder and preparing acts of terrorism.

Another four, including a teenager and a mother of an eight-month-old baby, are accused of failing to disclose information about the alleged plot.

UPDATED 3.26pm