Detectives investigating allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials have arrested two former NHS employees.

Scotland Yard said the 46-year-old-man and 42-year-old woman were arrested on Thursday morning in Bridgwater, Somerset, as part of the Operation Elveden inquiry.

They are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public office and on suspicion of corruption.

It follows the arrest of a 26-year-old man in Surrey earlier on Thursday morning, as part of an investigation into the hacking of voicemail boxes.

Six people, including former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and her racehorse trainer husband Charlie, have been charged in connection with the inquiry.

Mrs Brooks faces three charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, while her husband is charged with one count of the same offence.

The couple are due to enter pleas when they appear at Southwark Crown Court in London on September 26.

There are also 14 others on bail pending further inquiries, while four were released with no further action.