POLICE holding a man over the murders of Bewdley ex-teacher Betty Yates and South Gloucestershire vicar John Suddards have been granted another 36 hours to question him.

Avon and Somerset police are yet to charge Stephen Farrow, 47, with the murders of Mrs Yates, 77 and Reverend Suddard, 59.

The wanted man was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, at 4.20am yesterday.

Police had 24 hours to question him and were granted another 12 hours, which ran out this afternoon, when a successful application was made to keep him in custody until 4.20am on Wednesday.

West Mercia Police officers investigating Mrs Yates's death said the two murders had been "formally linked".

Both victims were stabbed to death in their homes which were found locked. In both cases, a man was arrested and bailed.