Picture of April suspect released

Police searching for April Jones have issued a picture of the 46-year-old man they have arrested on suspicion of her abduction.

Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan, from Dyfed Powys Police, said he was confirming Mark Bridger's identity to end speculation but stressed that he was just one of several lines of inquiry.

He appealed for witnesses who may have seen Mr Bridger between Monday evening when April disappeared, and yesterday afternoon when he was arrested, or his Land Rover Discovery 4x4 vehicle, registration number L503 MEP.

Five-year-old April was abducted from the Mid Wales town of Machynlleth at around 7pm on Monday.

Mr Bevan, showing the image of Mr Bridger, said he is currently being interviewed.

"He was arrested on the A487 just north of the Dyfi Bridge, walking in the direction of Machynlleth, and he was wearing a camouflage green jacket, black waterproof overtrousers and camouflage trousers beneath those. The Land Rover Discovery was recovered from a repair garage in the Old Station Road area of Machynlleth on Tuesday afternoon."

He said police are still pursuing a "number of lines of inquiry" - one of which is Mr Bridger.

Mr Bevan appealed for any information people may have about Mr Bridger or his Land Rover, saying: "Did you see that vehicle between Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon? If you did, please don't assume that someone else has already contacted us. Please, even if you have the smallest of information, it could be crucial to this investigation."

Five-year-old April last seen getting into a vehicle by a friend she was playing with close to her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate.

In a statement, her family said their lives were "shattered" by her disappearance, adding: "We are devastated and our lives have stopped. Please, please, if you have our little girl, let her come home to us."