POLICE are continuing inquiries a year after six men were arrested in one of the region's biggest terrorist raids.

The men, who are suing Durham and Cleveland police forces, were arrested last January in dawn raids in Teesside and County Durham.

The investigation, codenamed Operation Icebolt, was sparked by an anonymous tip- off to police over allegations of money laundering for Islamic terrorist groups and buying weapons.

Up to 150 officers, including armed police, staged simultaneous raids on the men's homes and businesses, in Redcar, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Darlington.

They were arrested and held at secret locations while forensic teams made detailed searches of the premises.

Last night, police said they were continuing to investigate links between the men and the allegations.

A spokesman for Durham Police, which led the joint investigation, said: "We said from the start that it would be a long, complex and painstaking inquiry. I cannot comment further until all inquiries have been completed."

Omar Mohammed, 44, of Coulby Newham, Majid Mousa, 44, of Middlesbrough, Walid Zam Zam, of Seaton Carew, Salah Famtazi, Ibrahim Rachid and Mousa Mohamad, all of Darlington, were held for four days.

All of the men, apart from Majid Mousa, have started legal proceedings in a bid to clear their names. They are suing for false imprisonment and trespass. Omar Mohammed's wife, Tina and their son, Jamie Mohammed, 14, are also suing police.

Last night, Mr Mohammed said: "The police have not presented any evidence to our solicitors. They just keep saying that they are investigating us.

"There is still a black cloud hanging over us a year later. It has been a nightmare."

Scott Taylor, of Watson Woodhouse solicitors, who is acting on behalf of three of the men, said: "The case has been sent to a barrister. We have not been presented with anything by the police."