Two arrested in plot to murder Joss Stone

[Sonic Youth]

Two held over plot to murder soul star Joss Stone

AFP - Police said on Wednesday they had arrested two men near the home of soul singer Joss Stone on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and rob.

Officers detained the men, aged 30 and 33, in Cullompton, southwest England, at 10:00 am Tuesday near the star's isolated country home and reportedly found them in possession of swords, rope and a body bag.

They also had detailed maps and aerial photos of the 24-year-old singer's property, The Sun newspaper reported.

The arrests came after neighbours spotted two men driving slowly round remote country lanes in Cullompton and reported them to police, said the paper.

"Police attended an address in Cullompton yesterday morning after alert residents notified officers about a suspicious-looking vehicle," said a local police spokesman.

"Officers attended the area at around 10:00 am and subsequently arrested the occupants of a red Fiat Punto."

Stone has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and has worked with music legends including Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and the late US soul superstar James Brown.

She is estimated to have a personal fortune of £9 million, according to a list of Britain's wealthiest people published by the Sunday Times last month.

Stone is a friend of Prince William and attended his wedding to Catherine on April 29.