A man has been arrested in Broadstairs on suspicion of murdering a famous children's author.

Exactly three months after Helen Bailey went missing a man is being held by Hertfordshire police after being arrested in the Kent town.

Helen, 51, a successful children's book writer, was last seen on Monday April 11 at around 2.45pm.

She is believed to have left the large detached house in Royston, Hertfordshire, that she shared with her partner and his two children.

Today police were seen searching a house in Serene Pace, Broadstairs, believed to be the author's holiday home.

She is best known for her children’s books, early-teen fiction about a girl called Electra Brown.

A statement from Hertfordshire Police this afternoon said: "As part of the on-going investigation to trace missing author Helen Bailey, from Royston, a man has been arrested this morning.

"The 55-year-old man from Royston is being questioned at a police station in Hertfordshire on suspicion of murder, disposing of a body in a manner likely to obstruct the Coroner and suspicion of theft of money belonging to Helen Bailey.

"Helen has not been since April 11. Significant enquiries and searches have already been made as part of the investigation to trace Helen and further searches at her home address in Royston and an address in Broadstairs in Kent are taking place today."

Mrs Bailey's disappearance sparked a major search in Hertfordshire, as police officers combed woods near the author's home, where she often walked her pet dachshund.