An elder of a polygamist sect and two other church members surrendered to Texas authorities to face charges over the marriage of underage girls to older men.

AGENTS searching a 1,700-acre polygamist compound in west Texas found a bed in the soaring limestone temple and prosecutors believe it was used for male members to have sex with their underage wives after sect-recognised unions.

Police searching a 1,700-acre religious compound in Texas found a bed in a limestone temple thought to be used by male members to have sex with their underage wives.