Pair charged with GBH and robbery plot against Joss Stone

Junior Bradshaw, 30, and Kevin Liverpool, 33, both from Manchester, were charged by Devon and Cornwall Police with conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

The charges came two days after police arrested two men in the town of Cullompton, close to the 24-year-old millionaire singer's family home in Devon.

Both men are due to appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court this morning.

Stone, who has an estimated 9 million fortune, had earlier insisted she was "absolutely fine" and "getting on with life as normal", following the arrest of the two men.

The singer, whose hits include Super Duper Love and Fell In Love With A Boy, said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their concern but I'm absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal while the police continue with their inquiries."

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers had gone to an address in Cullompton, Devon, after alert residents notified them of a suspicious-looking vehicle.

"Officers attended the area at around 10am (on Monday] and subsequently arrested the occupants of a red Fiat Punto," the spokesman said.

Police said the pair were initially arrested for possession of offensive weapons and being equipped to steal. Officers allegedly found swords, rope and a body bag when they arrested the men near the singer's isolated country home, it was reported.

The men are also alleged to have had detailed maps and aerial photos of Stone's property.

Detective Inspector Steve Parker, who is leading the investigation, said: "We're unable to say any more at this time but I would like to thank the local residents for reporting the suspicious car.

"Our officers are currently carrying out reassurance patrols and it's important to stress that no properties have been burgled and no individuals have been harmed."

Police officers stood guard in front of the ornate gates outside the house yesterday, which is in a farming area, a few miles north of Exeter.

One of the singer's neighbours, Florence Webber, said the rural area was usually quiet.

"You never think anything like this is going to happen in a place like this," she said.

"We didn't know it had happened until this morning. It is a quiet area. I don't know that she (Stone] is there that often."

Neighbour Simon Allsopp, who said he knew the family, added: "They're fine. They are used to it, being under siege - though not like this."

And Niall Drew, who said he attended the local school with Stone, described her as "a big part of the local community".

He said: "We are proud to live in the area that we come from. We know her family quite well and we are just hoping they are okay."Last month, the Sunday Times Rich List ranked her the fifth wealthiest British and Irish pop star aged under 30, thanks mainly to her huge success in the US.

Stone was 16 when she had her first hit - Fell In Love With A Boy - in 2004 and had just turned 17 when she stormed the Brit Awards picking up prizes for British Female Solo Artist and British Urban Act.

Her soulful vocals saw her hailed in the United States as "the white Aretha Franklin" and she has enjoyed success on both sides of the Atlantic.

At the age of 13 she won the BBC's Junior Star For A Night talent contest, singing the Donna Summer hit On The Radio.

That led to her being snapped up by US record executives and in 2003 her first album, The Soul Sessions, was released to critical acclaim.