PARATROOPERS from Colchester have been mobilised and tasked with protecting the Palace of Westminster.

Members of Colchester's Second Battalion The Parachute Regiment have arrived to relieve armed police officers so they can get on with the job of investigating the terror threat and to keep London safe.

The soldiers from 2 Para are under the control of the civil authorities.

Their role will be to provide armed static site protection at sites of major importance.

They will not be patrolling the streets themselves but are there to support the police after Prime Minister Theresa May raised the threat level to the highest possible - critical - at 9.30pm last night.

An Army spokesman said: “Operation Temperer– the mobilisation plan for military support to the police service following a major terrorist attack - has been initiated.

"Military personnel will be deployed alongside the police at nominated sites to provide additional protective security.

"Military personnel will be under the command and control of the police service.

"Up to 3,800 have been made available to backfill existing armed guarding roles filled by armed police units, thereby releasing armed police officers to support the wider incident response.”

The first wave of 984 are now being put in place.

2 Para, part of the Colchester based 16 Air Assault Brigade are recognisable both by the maroon beret of the Paras and the blue DZ patch on their arms.

A terror threat level of critical means there is a imminent threat of danger.

It is believed a wider group of individuals may be at large following the terror attack in Manchester on Monday night.

16 AAB includes units which make up the nation's high readiness rapid reaction force ready to respond at home or abroad as needed, with some ready to respond within 24 hours.

More from the town could follow as needed.

Former Colchester MP Will Quince said: "I had a briefing on Operation Temperer several months ago.

"It was one of those briefings you hope you will never have to see enacted.

"Having said that our Paras are some of the most highly trained and highly skilled soldiers in the world.

"They are supporting police officers, freeing them up to do their important work across London.

"They are there as a support function so the police can keep London safe."

Other units will be supporting other parts of the country.

Mr Quince added: "I would like to put on record my thanks to 16AAB and 2 Para for taking on the role and helping to keep people safe."

Mr Quince (Cons) is one of the candidates standing in the General Election to represent Colchester.

All candidates have suspended campaigning since the horrific attack on Monday night.

The other candidates are Mark Goacher (Green), Robin Rennie (Christian Peoples Alliance), Sir Bob Russell (Lib Dem) and Tim Young (Lab).

All five paid their respects at a memorial service at St Botolph's Church last night after the hustings were cancelled as a sign of respect.

As a result of the heightened risk extra police officers are also on the streets of Essex.

While Essex Police and Colchester's Paras are helping to keep people safe in Essex, and in the capital respectively, investigations are continuing into the Manchester Arena bombing.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the Manchester attack.

They were detained after police executed warrants in the south of the city, taking the total of people in custody to four.

Twenty-two people were killed and dozens more seriously injured when Salman Abedi detonated a device as fans left Manchester Arena, where US star Ariana Grande was performing on Monday night.

It was the worst terrorist incident to hit the UK since the July 7 attacks in London in 2005.

More to follow.