The US Secret Service says agents have intercepted packages containing “possible explosive devices” addressed to former president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The agency says neither Mrs Clinton nor Mr Obama received the packages, and neither was at risk of receiving them because of screening procedures.

It says the devices were discovered late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday.

A US official tells The Associated Press that a “functional explosive device” was found during screening at Bill and Hillary Clinton’s suburban New York home.

The official says investigators believe the explosive is linked to one found on Monday at the compound of billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

The Secret Service says a second package was addressed to Mr Obama and was intercepted in Washington.

The White House condemned the attempted attacks against the former presidents and former first lady.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: “These terrorising acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

She continued: “The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards.”

US news channel CNN says its offices in New York have been evacuated because of a suspicious package.

The news network reported on Wednesday morning that a police bomb squad was at its offices.

Law enforcement officials say the CNN package was discovered in the post room.

Mrs Clinton was campaigning for Democrats in Florida and was not at the family’s suburban New York residence when the suspicious package addressed to her was seized.

Mr Clinton was at the family’s Chappaqua, New York, home when the package was intercepted at a facility in Westchester County, New York.

Mrs Clinton is headlining a fundraiser on Wednesday for Florida congressional candidate Donna Shalala.