A 36-year-old man is being questioned today on suspicion of murder after an Ipswich woman went missing while on holiday.

A major investigation has been launched by police officers from Norfolk and Suffolk following the disappearance of 23-year-old Sarah Shields, a former pupil at Copleston High School, Ipswich, who was on a two week holiday in Gran Canaria.

The Norfolk and Suffolk joint major investigation team arrested a 36-year-old man last night in connection with her disappearance.

The man, arrested on suspicion of murder and perverting the course of justice, is currently at Ipswich Police Station being interviewed by detectives.

This afternoon a lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service made an application to magistrates in Ipswich to extend the suspects custody time limit.

The application was granted and police now have until Friday morning to question the man.

Officers are liaising with Spanish officials to determine the circumstances around Miss Shields’ disappearance.

She failed to return home on July 11 as planned.

The body of a young woman, which showed signs of violence, was discovered off the coast of Mogan, Gran Canaria, on July 7 and Spanish police are currently attempting to identify her.

The Foreign Office is currently working with the Spanish and English authorities on the investigation.

- Do you know Sarah Shields? Contact us on 01473 324736 or 01473 324788 or you can email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk or news@eadt.co.uk.