Five men have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged corruption.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police's serious crime division executed warrants at addresses in Altrincham, Kersal, Didsbury and Bacup, Lancashire, and arrested five men, aged between 45 and 69, on suspicion of corruption in a public office.

These arrests are the result of an intelligence-led operation launched in June 2011 into allegations that two councillors at Bury Council accepted bribes in relation to a planning application.

As part of the operation, officers have also recovered a number of computers and documents from Bury Town Hall and a business premises in Moston.

The arrested men are currently being interviewed in police custody.

Bury divisional commander Chief Superintendent Jon Rush said: "This has been a complex investigation and these arrests are the result of a lot of hard work by a dedicated team of officers.

"I recognise this operation will cause some disruption at the council.

"However, the council is cooperating with the investigation and we intend to keep disruption to a minimum."