SIX men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism following pre-dawn raids across the region this morning.

The men from Darlington and Cleveland are being held under the Terrorism Act 2000.

150 police officers from the Darlington and Cleveland police forces carried out the raids.

Rush hour traffic was briefly brought to a standstill in both Darlington and Teesside while the officers, some of whom were armed, searched the properties.

Three men from Darlington aged 29, 31 and 46 and three men from Teesside aged 29, 37, 44 are being held in undisclosed police stations around the region.

Officers can hold the men for seven days before any charges are made.