The body of Jane Longhurst was discovered on Saturday

The man, who has not been named, was questioned at Brighton Police Station on Friday but released on bail in the evening without charge.

The burning body of Miss Longhurst, 31, was discovered at Wiggonholt Common in Pulborough, West Sussex, on Saturday.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis from Sussex Police said the man was arrested late on Thursday evening at his home in Hove.

He said the man had previously been questioned before by police, at the time Miss Longhurst went missing.

DCI Dennis told the BBC: "We talked to a number of her people. Her colleagues, her friends and other people at that time.

"During those inquiries he was one of the individuals who were seen."

I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of a brilliant friend Malcolm Sentance, partner Press conference in video

At the press conference Mr Dennis described the arrest as "significant".

He also re-appealed for anyone who was on the common on Saturday to come forward and said this was "particularly important now".

Miss Longhurst went missing on 14 March from the home she shared with her partner Malcolm Sentance in Brighton.

Police will on Saturday night be stopping motorists near where her body was found in Pulborough, in an attempt to trace witnesses.

At the press conference, her mother Liz Longhurst read out a statement on behalf of Mr Sentance.

In it he said: "I am missing Jane every hour of every day and night.

"It is heartbreaking when your life turns a corner and new experiences occur and the one person you want to share them with is not there.

'Pulling together'

"I am really going to miss the great company and nights in the pub with friends, I will miss walking, driving about, the pillow fights and swimming in the sea.

"We all try to stay positive. I am heartbroken at the tragic loss of a brilliant friend."

DCI Steve Dennis is leading the hunt for Jane Longhurst's killer

Miss Longhurst's sister, Sue Barnett, said: "We are slowly coming to terms with what has happened to Jane and pulling together as a family to support each other during such a difficult time.

"We have made many appeals for information since Jane went missing six weeks ago today.

"But even at our lowest point we were never prepared for something like this."

Detectives believe Miss Longhurst was strangled shortly after her disappearance and her body was kept somewhere cool for up to five weeks.

They suggested her killer panicked over the Easter weekend by deciding to dump and set light to her body in an area visible from footpaths and roads.

On Wednesday, police said items found near to where the body was discovered, including a match, a box of matches and Jane's watch, had given them a significant breakthrough in the investigation.