An AK-47 and an Uzi machine gun were among weapons found by police searching a cottage in Suffolk, it has emerged.

Police said 50 officers had been involved in investigating the « significant » find in Potash Lane, Wyverstone, since 27 March.

A search of the area will continue for at least a week. Wyverstone Parish Council chairman James Arnold has been charged with firearms offences.

Mr Arnold, 49, of Potash Lane, is due at Ipswich Crown Court on 1 May.

He is accused of being in possession of a self-loading rifle gun, a bolt-action shotgun, a Uzi machine gun and an AK-47 assault rifle.

Police said they were initially called to the house over an allegation of assault, and then carried out a search warrant.

Specialist search teams from Suffolk Police and officers from the Metropolitan Police are continuing to search the house, outbuildings and land, a spokesman said.

« It is anticipated that due to the number of outbuildings and area of land to be searched, officers could be at the scene for a further week to a fortnight and a cordon will remain in place during this time, » the spokesman said.

A number of controlled explosions have been carried out, with more expected to make items safe.

The Ministry of Defence has also been called on for its « expertise » due to the « nature of the weapons being recovered ».

Mr Arnold will also appear before Bury St Edmunds magistrates on Monday, accused of two assault charges.

A 45-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of possession of a prohibited firearm is on bail until 21 May.