Murder arrest after woman's body found

Police said the body matched the description of a woman called Mariann who had been missing for over a week

A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found nine days after she went missing.

Greater Manchester Police said the body matched the description of a 55-year-old woman called Mariann who had been missing from Bolton since 14 December.

No formal identification has yet taken place but the force said Mariann's family had been informed of the development and were being supported by family liaison officers.

There had been police searches for the woman involving several appeals to the local community, with police saying initial inquiries suggested suspicious circumstances.

Police have not said where the discovery was made.

Ch Sup Helen Critchley said: "This is a tragic development to our extensive search for Mariann, which we desperately hoped would not be the case so close to Christmas.

"Our thoughts are with her family at this distressing time."

The arrested man was being questioned in police custody, the force added.