MURDERED schoolboy Ryan Mason died from multiple injuries, it was revealed.

Detectives were continuing to question a 22-year-old man following the discovery of the youngster's body in a bin bag at Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course.

A post mortem examination was carried out to establish the cause of death.

Ryan, aged seven, pictured enjoying Christmas, was last seen on Monday at about 5.30am by his mother Lynn at his home in Hawker Avenue, Great Lever, when he had got up early to play computer games.

She did not report him missing until 11am yesterday because she thought he was staying with extended members of the family.

A full-scale search was launched and the hunt was stepped up after a 22-year-old man was arrested at Bolton Train Station. The man, who is believed to be from the Johnson Fold area, is a family friend of the Masons and had been staying at the family home.

He was arrested at 6.30am yesterday on suspicion of attempted abduction and spent the day being questioned by police.

Officers had started the search for Ryan near his home address late on Tuesday night before bringing in the police tactical aid unit yesterday.

A group of 40 officers, including an underwater search unit, carried out an extensive search of the golf course off Plodder Lane as it is the nearest area of open land to Ryan's home.

A child's body was found just five minutes before a press conference was due to be held to appeal for information on the missing seven-year-old. It was found in a ditch surrounded by trees not far from the clubhouse. The course and the incoming road were sealed off while police waited for a forensic team to arrive.

Det Supt Ian Hilton confirmed he had launched a murder inquiry.

He said: "The way the body has been found makes it clear that there are suspicious circumstances and he did not die from natural causes.

"Most people who go missing from home turn up safe and well.

"I am obviously very upset for the family as we had all hoped that Ryan would re-appear safe and well somewhere."

Police family liaison officers were looking after Mrs Mason and her teenage daughter today.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The post mortem showed that Ryan died from multiple injuries.

"His family have been notified about the results."