Joss Stone
One defendant in Joss Stone murder plot trial has been placed in mental health unit Reuters

Two men are being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and rob the soul singer Joss Stone, police said.

Officers arrested the men, aged 30 and 33, in Cullompton, southwest England, at 1000 BST on Tuesday, near Stone's remote country home. The pair were reportedly in possession of swords, rope and a body bag.

In addition, they had detailed maps and aerial photos of the 24 year-olds property, The Sun reported.

"Police attended an address in Cullompton yesterday morning after alert residents notified officers about a suspicious-looking vehicle," said a local police spokesman.

"Officers attended the area at around 1000 and subsequently arrested the occupants of a red Fiat Punto."

The British soul singer, who is a close friend of the Duke of Cambridge, has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and worked with prominent musicians including Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and the late James Brown.

She enjoys greater popularity in the US, where she spends up to nine months each year, with US President Barack Obama reported to be among her legion of fans.

She is estimated to be in the top five biggest earning female UK singers, with a personal fortune of over £9m, according to a list published by the Sunday Times last month.