Explosive used in London attacks can deteriorate 'after a few days'

THE homemade explosive thought to have been used in both London bombing waves can deteriorate after just a few days.

The short shelf-life of the substance, acetone peroxide, leaves open the possibility that the explosives in both the July 7 bombings and yesterday's attempts came from the same batch.

It is a favoured weapon of suicide bombers in the Middle East, where it is known as Mother of Satan.