BRITAIN:The head of Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command,Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, said the two vehicles found containing bombs in London yesterday were "clearly linked" and both were "potentially viable".
He told last night's press conference at Scotland Yard: "The vehicle was found to contain very similar materials to those that have been found in the first vehicle in Haymarket earlier today.
"There was a considerable amount of fuel and gas canisters, as in the first vehicle. There was also a substantial quantity of nails.
"This, like the first device, was potentially viable and was made safe by explosives officers. The vehicles are clearly linked."
Mr Clarke said the second Mercedes, a blue 280E model, was parked in Cockspur Street, which runs between Haymarket and Trafalgar Square, and was issued with a parking ticket at about 2.30am.
He added: "We are doing everything possible to protect the public. There will be more police patrols. The investigation is moving ahead."
He appealed to the public to be vigilant, and to report anything suspicious to the police.
"The discovery of what appears to be a second bomb is obviously troubling, and reinforces the need for the public to be alert. They should ring 999 if they perceive that there is an immediate threat, from a suspicious vehicle or any other cause.
"I would appeal to members of the public who saw the blue Mercedes parked in Cockspur Street earlier this morning, or who have any other information, to contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said many of the measures being put in place around London were developed after the July 7th, 2005 bombings.
He said the security of a number of high-profile events in the capital this weekend, believed to include the Wimbledon tennis championships, has been reviewed following the failed car bomb plot.
He said it is common after such incidents for there to be an increase in the number of reports of suspicious vehicles and packages by members of the public.
He said: "What we have in London is a tried and tested system and procedures in place to deal with it.
"Our overriding objective is to protect the scenes, put in place cordons and to make sure those particular areas are properly searched." He added: "What I want to do is reassure Londoners that we are doing everything possible to make them safe."