The trial of two men accused over a 'bomb plot' has been adjourned until 2pm.

Earlier, the judge instructed the jury he will accept a majority verdict.

The jury has been deliberating since Wednesday afternoon.

The actions of two men accused of plotting to make a bomb must be considered together in order for them to be found guilty, the jury has been told.

Judge Beatson said jurors at Manchester Crown Court had to be certain that Robert Cottage and David Jackson had reached an agreement to make an explosive for conspiracy charges to stand.

Cottage, 49, had ordered three boxes of chemicals from the internet on behalf of Jackson, 62, of Trent Road, Nelson, the court has been told.

Cottage had downloaded and printed bomb making information from The Anarchist Cookbook.

But none of the chemicals had been opened or used when police raided his Talbot Street home in Colne.

The prosecution alleged that it was only because of the intervention of Cottage's concerned wife that the pair were unable to go ahead with their plans.

But both men's defence councils refuted this as "total speculation."

Six days of evidence were summarised before the jury was sent out to consider its verdict.

Cottage has admitted possessing the explosives.

Earlier, the court heard the case against Jackson was based on an "abundance of speculation".

Jackson was "naive and a little eccentric, but not a bomber", his defence counsel said.

Making closing submissions in his defence of Jackson, Andrew Nuttall said the dentist was looking to revive a chemistry hobby when he asked Cottage to make the order.

Mr Nuttall said that Jackson had been open about his intentions for the chemicals and had asked a friend to help him revive an old lab kit shortly before he was arrested.

Mr Nuttall said: "Where is the silence of the conspirator?

"Payment was made with a credit card.

"A letter was written - you couldn't do it more openly. This was not a midnight sale in the pub."

The court had previously head Cottage had bought chemicals for himself in case of a civil war.

He had strong beliefs that the country was in a "chaotic mess" which he largely put down to illegal immigration.

Mr Nuttall pointed out that Jackson did not hold such strong views "he believes in democracy but he is lazy and doesn't want to participate in politics.

"There is no indication of hate or loathing."

Mr Nuttall added that Jackson showed an enthusiasm for chemistry "that we would wish a teacher at our children's schools to have."

(Proceeding).