In a step that made legal history, four men have faced charges over a suspected attempt to recruit a cell of British suicide bombers.

One of the men, 22-year-old Yassin Mutegombwa, is accused of "receiving training for terrorism" - a UK first.

Prosecutors allege Mutegombwa, of Upper Norwood in south-east London, twice attended "weapons training" in woodlands in Hampshire and once near a Berkshire farm.

The new offence was created by the Terrorism Act 2006, which became law in March after a controversial run through parliament in the aftermath of last year's July 7 bombings.

Mutegombwa's brother, Hassan, 20, also of Upper Norwood, faces a charge of "procuring funds for terrorism".

The four were today remanded in custody after appearing at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The brothers are among 14 men arrested in anti-terror raids that started at a Chinese restaurant in Borough, south London, on August 1.

Flare launcher

Musa Akmet, 47, and Mustafa Abdullah, 24, of Stockwell, are accused of possessing information useful to terrorists.

Akmet, of Eltham in south-east London, is also charged with possessing 16mm mini flare launcher without a valid firearms certificate.

The three charges against Yassin Mutegombwa relate to him receiving "instruction... for purposes connected with the commission or preparation of acts of terrorism".

According to his charge sheet, he attended training in woods near Matley Wood camp site in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, from 28 April to 1 May and again between 2 and 4 June.

The third training session allegedly took place on 18 June near Pondwood Farm in White Waltham, Berkshire.

School searched

Eight other men remain in custody, while two have been released without charge. Police have been granted extra time to question them until various days later this week.

One of those being held is the cleric Abu Abdullah - brother to Mr Akmet and close associate of Abu Hamza al-Masri, the former imam jailed for inciting murder.

Police have raided 17 homes across south and east London, as well as an Islamic school near Tunbridge Wells.

Searches on the 54-acre grounds of Jameah Islamiyah school near Crowborough, East Sussex, could continue for weeks, police said earlier.

According to Ofsted inspectors, the school was set up in 2003 as an Islamic teaching facility for boys aged between 11 and 16.