1 A SUSPECTED spy has insisted that he was not trying to make a bomb at his home.

Peter Hill, 23, who was arrested for allegedly attempting to sell military documents to Russia, spoke out through his solicitor after appearing in court charged with possessing explosive equipment.

Hill, a former Territorial Army trooper in the Royal Armoured Corp, who is from Colne and attended Clitheroe Grammar School, was arrested by police under the Official Secrets Act last week.

The alleged security breach is believed to have been from a Government establishment and not from a commercial military supplier or manufacturer.

Police from London's Metropolitan Police detained him in Leeds after an undercover operation in which an officer is believed to have posed as a Kremlin agent.

Hill, who lives in Skipton, has been bailed by police until November 29 relating to his arrest under the Official Secrets Act.

But he appeared before Leeds magistrates yesterday charged under the Explosive Substances Act.

After being granted bail, he stood outside of court with his mother, Anne Browne, of Keighley Road, Colne, as his solicitor Grahame Stowe read out a statement on his behalf.

Mr Stowe said: "Peter is thrilled that he has been granted bail and thrilled to be reunited with his mother and his family. He is looking forward to going to Crown Court where he can confirm that these allegations are spurious and without foundation."

He refused to comment on the other allegations and said the immedaite priority was to clear his client of the explosives charges.

The court heard that police found weed killer, nail varnish, sugar and a metal tube when they raided the address in Skipton.

It is alleged that these substances could be used to produce explosives.

Hill was released on bail until next Monday when he will appear at Leeds Crown Court.

He must report regularly to Colne police station until his Crown Court.

The Skipton Building Society employee has also been banned from speaking to housemate Robert Starbuck.

Hill, who is a risk analyst, went to Park Primary, and Park High School, both in Colne, before studying A Levels at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School between 2001 and 2003.