A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a missing schoolboy was pulled from a river in north Devon. 

Taylor Charlton, 15, was last seen on CCTV near a footpath close to Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple on May 8.

A major search operation was launched until a body was finally found in the river six weeks later.

Police have now arrested a woman in her 40s on suspicion of murder.

She is the second person to be arrested after a 20-year-old man was detained on suspicion of murder and later released on bail last month.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: ‘We have received new information and as a result have taken swift action to fully understand this,’

‘That has included the arrest today of a woman, aged in her 40s, who will be interviewed as part of our enquiries.

‘While the suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder, we would like to stress that this is a new line of enquiry and it is at an extremely early stage.

‘Taylor’s family have been informed of this development and continue to be supported by specially-trained officers.’

Taylor Charlton, 15, was last seen on CCTV near a footpath close to Tarka Leisure Centre on May 8

Pictured is a missing poster for Devon teenager Taylor Charlton

Taylor was 14 when he went missing but would have turned 15 in the time since he was last seen.

Last month Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to the River Taw at Sticklepath after remains were spotted in the water.

Formal identification is to take place but Taylor’s family was informed

In a public appeal, his mother Zoe previously said she was ‘absolutely desperate’ for him to come home.

‘I love you so much and I am worried sick about you,’ she added.

His father Alex said: ‘Taylor is a loving, loyal and special lad and we can’t wait to have him home again.’