Dorset police are continuing to question a man in connection with the murder of mother-of-two Heather Barnett, eight years ago.

Around a dozen police officers arrived at a house in Chatsworth Road in the Charminster area of Bournemouth around 6.30am on Wednesday morning.

They took away a 38-year-old man who is now being questioned by detectives at Poole police station. He was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was not named by police, but the Daily Echo understands he is trainee dental technician Danilo Restivo, an Italian national, who has previously been quizzed over the murder.

The operation was carried out by Dorset’s Major Crime Investigation Team, with the inquiry headed by Detective Superintendent Mark Cooper.

Police have begun forensically examining the detached property in Chatsworth Road. Shortly after 11am contractors began erecting scaffolding around the house as forensics teams arrived.

The house is 20 yards away from where Heather Barnett, 48, was killed on November 12 2002.

She was discovered in the bathroom of her own home in nearby Capstone Road.

Progress in the case has been accelerated in recent weeks following the discovery of the body of schoolgirl Elisa Claps hidden in a church in Potenza, Italy, in March.

The 16-year-old went missing in September 1993.

Speaking on the steps of Bournemouth police station this morning, Det Supt Mark Cooper, the officer in charge of the investigation, confirmed that a 38-year-old local man had been arrested in connection with the Heather Barnett murder inquiry.

He said a large team of officers had been working "tirelessly on this long running investigation" and added that a full forensic examination of the property in Chatsworth Rd would be taking place today.

DS Cooper said: "I'd like to reassure local people in the Charminster area over our increased police activity there and thank the public in anticipation."

He added that Heather's family was being kept fully informed of developments at "this difficult time."