<b>Exclusive
By Ben Twaters
Security Correspondent</b>

Hopes were raised today that a planned terror attack on Ipswich could cause millions of pounds worth of improvements.

Alleged plans by so-called Islamic State to crash planes into Ipswich, Brighton, Bath and London were revealed in a national newspaper over the weekend.

The Sunday Express claimed ISIS-supporting commercial airline pilots had discussed attacks in coded radio communications picked up the RAF and passed to GCHQ.

Suffolk locals were shocked by the claims they could be targeted.

"Ipswich town centre has become a no-go zone in recent years. Flattening it would be a tremendous boost."

There was still confusion in Whitehall about why Ipswich was selected.

A Home Office insider told the Suffolk Gazette: "Ipswich town centre is already a wasteland; there's nothing of note there.

"We can only speculate that one of the ISIS commanders is a Norwich fan.

"Either that or they have opened up a surprise new battle front against pound shops, mobile phone outlets and street beggars."