Pair held over Joss Stone robbery plot in Devon

Two men from Manchester are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to rob the singer Joss Stone at her Devon home.

The men, aged 33 and 30, were arrested after a suspicious vehicle was seen in the Cullompton area on Monday.

A police source said they were found with swords, plans of the singer's home and a body bag, BBC South West Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Hall said.

Miss Stone is aware of the arrests and later said she was "absolutely fine".

Mr Hall said the senior police source also confirmed that ropes and forensic-style overalls were found on the men.

It has not been disclosed if Miss Stone was at the property at the time.

However, her mother, Wendy, was seen at the house on Wednesday.

Her publicist said Miss Stone was being kept informed of developments by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The singer later said she was "absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal".

The men were initially arrested for possession of offensive weapons and being equipped to steal.

The two are being questioned at Heavitree police station in Exeter.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police attended an address in Cullompton after alert residents notified officers about a suspicious-looking vehicle.

"Officers attended the area at around 1000 BST and subsequently arrested the occupants of a red Fiat Punto.

"Major crime detectives are continuing to investigate."

Officers were questioning households in the area and were on patrol near the property on Wednesday morning.

The metal gates of Miss Stone's house have also been boarded up.

Det Insp Steve Parker, of Devon and Cornwall Police, who is leading the investigation, thanked residents for reporting the suspicious car.

He added: "Our officers are currently carrying out reassurance patrols and it's important to stress that no properties have been burgled and no individuals have been harmed."

Last month, the Sunday Times Rich List placed 24-year-old Miss Stone - who was born in Kent but grew up in Devon - as the fifth wealthiest British and Irish pop star aged under 30, with a fortune of about £9m.

After releasing her first album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003, she had her first hit - Fell In Love With A Boy - in 2004, aged 16.

After just turning 17, she stormed the Brit Awards, picking up gongs for British Female Solo Artist and British Urban Act.