A friend of a famous children's author who is thought to have been murdered has paid tribute to a 'generous, charming, smiley and witty woman'.

The tribute comes after a man was arrested in Broadstairs yesterday on suspicion of murdering Helen Bailey.

Police were seen searching a house in Serene Place, believed to be the author's holiday home.

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

A neighbour living in Serene Place said: "I knew Helen really well, we have been friends for more than 10 years and she lived directly opposite me.

"You would find her down here a lot because she practically lived down here.

"She was charming, very smiley and witty... Helen Bailey neighbour

"It wasn't as though this was a holiday home only frequented once every year, she would be here come rain or shine or blizzard.

"She was an absolutely lovely woman and very generous, she was charming, very smiley and witty.

"Helen was also very stylish and said she loved it down here.

"She and her husband used to stick a note through the door saying they were off to the pub for a drink if I wanted to join. It was lovely."

Almost exactly three months after Mrs Bailey went missing, a man is being held by Hertfordshire police after being arrested in Broadstairs.

The 51-year-old is a successful children's book writer and 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.

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.