A 45-year-old Portsmouth man has been charged with nine terrorism-related offences after letters containing white powder were posted to several addresses across the country, including the navy base and St Albans Primary School, Havant.

Police have now confirmed the powder sent in the letters was a toxic substance capable of causing illness.

But the doses were not high enough to cause serious harm.

The man, who has not been named by police, will appear in court next week.

He is accused of nine offences under the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 in relation to the letters containing the white powder.

The man faces a further nine offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in relation to a series of letters with racist content.

And he is accused of planting a hoax bomb on a bridge above the A27 near Havant last February.

Some of the offences date back to January 2003.

Detective Constable John Geden, who is leading the investigation, said: 'It was at first thought they were unrelated.

'There have been a number of incidents in Hampshire and other forces' areas, and last year we drew that together.'

Det Con Geden said the man's identity was being withheld for operational reasons.

The man has been released on police bail and will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court in London at 9am, on Thursday, March 13.