A RADIO DJ who was at the centre of a nationwide search after his girlfriend was strangled at her Breightmet home, has been arrested and was today being interviewed by police.

Mother-of-one Sarah Widdup's body was found at her home in Deepdale Road at the weekend.

On Monday, murder squad officers took the unusual step of issuing details and a picture of the dead woman's boyfriend, Paul Sharpe, aged 30, as a man they wanted to speak to following Sarah's death.

Detectives had not been able to trace the former Tower FM presenter who was seen talking to the 28-year-old murder victim outside Bolton College the day before her body was discovered.

But the search for Mr Sharpe came to an end yesterday when he walked into Bury police station just after 2pm. It is understood Mr Sharpe was alone when he entered the Irwell Street building. He was later transferred to Astley Bridge police station for interview.

A GMP spokesman said today: "A 30-year-old man from the Bury area has been arrested in connection with the murder of Sarah Jane Widdup. He is currently in custody and officers will continue to interview him today."

It is understood the couple had started dating a couple of months before, when Sarah phoned Mr Sharpe's late-night radio show on the Bolton station, which he later left to move to Chester FM.

The radio DJ had not been seen at his flat in Wellington Road, Bury, which police officers visited on Saturday night.

Yesterday Mr Sharpe's parents Raymond and Maureen confirmed they had spoken to detectives who were trying to find Paul, who uses the broadcast name Paul Shaw.

Before her son had attended Bury police station Mrs Sharpe, of Grosvenor Street, Radcliffe, told the BEN: "We've been working closely with the police but we can't comment further."

Details of Mr Sharpe had been issued to other police forces around the country, as Bolton officers continued their search for him.

Yesterday more wreaths and floral tributes had been placed on the doorstep of Sarah's home. A single red rose also lay on the front step.

Neighbours and friends had written touching messages to the murder victim, with tributes including "Sarah, we will miss you so much, God bless", "We will miss you for all of time" and "To Sarah, Love you alwyas, remember you forever".

Metal shutters had been placed across the windows and doors of the council house where the young mum's body was discovered on Saturday morning by her father, Riley. Sarah was a student at Bolton College and had a 10-year-old son Cody, who is being looked after by relatives.