Man arrested in connection with missing woman

The man is currently helping officers with enquiries at a Gloucestershire police station.

Police spokesman, Annabel Brittain, said: "He was arrested on suspicion of murder, but it must be stressed that no body has been found, nor is there any direct evidence that she has come to harm, and she may yet be found safe and well.

"Officers involved in this missing person enquiry are keeping an open mind, concerning the circumstances surrounding Mrs Prout's disappearance."

She added: "The arrest is just one aspect of this thorough investigation involving numerous lines of inquiry."

Police have not named the man, and an extensive search of the area around Mrs Prout's home is ongoing, and is expected to last for some time, perhaps for several weeks.

Around 200 acres in total is being search, with the help of 15 officers, and a specialist police investigator.

Police dogs and a helicopter have also been used.

Supt Tony Godwin, of Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "We understand that the intense police activity could cause inconvenience to members of the community, - for example, in terms of additional traffic, and we would urge people to bear with us, while we carry out the necessary work."

Meanwhile, as the search for Mrs Prout continues, Gloucestershire Constabulary has released a newly obtained picture of the 55-year-old, which shows her as a brunette, unlike an image released earlier, that showed her as a red-head.

She may have had brown, shoulder-length hair at the time of her disappearance, on Monday, November 5.

Mrs Prout is white, 5ft 6 inches tall, and of medium build. She has a pale complexion and green eyes.

She was wearing jeans and a black v-neck top when she was last seen.

Anyone with information concerning her whereabouts should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary immediately on 0845 090 1234, quoting incident 229 of November 10, the date when Mrs Prout was reported missing.