Man held in missing girl murder probe

A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenage girl who disappeared two years ago and is presumed dead.

Paige Chivers, 17, went missing from her home in Bispham, Lancashire, on August 23, 2007.

Her body has never been found and she is the subject of a missing persons inquiry by Lancashire Police.

However, several people have, in the past, been arrested in connection with her death.

The latest suspect, who is from Blackpool, is being questioned by detectives in Preston.

Forensics searches are being carried out at premises in Blackpool and police have also seized vehicles for examination.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rothwell, from Lancashire Police's major investigation team, said: "This is yet another development in our ongoing investigation as we continue to try and establish what has happened to Paige.

"Today's arrest demonstrates that, despite the passage of time, we are still receiving new information in to the inquiry team and the investigation continues to move forwards.

"I would like to thank those people that have responded to media appeals for information and would continue to urge the public to come forward and call us, anonymously if they wish, as the smallest piece of information could prove to be very important.

"It is never too late to come forward.

"Paige's family continue to live with the daily anguish of not knowing what has happened to her and this month will face their third Christmas without her.

"I would like to reassure them and the general public that my team are committed to finding out what has happened to Paige and today's arrest is just one line of inquiry we are currently following up.

"We continue to keep an open mind and look for evidence as to what has happened to Paige."

Anyone with information about Paige's disappearance should call Blackpool Police on 01253 293933 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

There is a £12,000 reward for any information which would lead to identifying Paige's whereabouts or the conviction of those responsible for her disappearance.