Nicola Payne disappearance: Two arrested on suspicion of murder

Nicola Payne was last seen on 14 December 1991

Police investigating the disappearance of a mother-of-one from Coventry 22 years ago have arrested two men on suspicion of her abduction and murder.

Nicola Payne, who was 18, was last seen in the Henley Green area of the city on 14 December 1991.

Last week West Midlands Police said new forensic tests might help provide a breakthrough in the case.

Two men, both aged 49, were arrested at their homes in the Bell Green and Stoke areas of Coventry.

A 51-year-old woman was also arrested in Bell Green on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Police said Nicola's family were aware of Tuesday's developments.

Miss Payne had a seven-month-old baby at the time of her disappearance.

No-one has ever been charged in connection with the case, although the latest arrests come just days after a fresh appeal for information was launched by the police.

Last week officers revealed they had sent a number of items for specialist testing following a full review of the investigation.

They would not confirm the nature of the items examined and would not say whether they were newly discovered.

The force said it was consulting experts in the fields of DNA and palynology (the study of pollen).