Ms Richards was found dead in her home

Hugo Quintas was arrested by Spanish police in the Basque region of Spain on Tuesday morning, said Wiltshire Police.

Ms Richards, who was 23 and the ex-girlfriend of Portuguese Mr Quintas, was found dead on 11 June in her home, in Trowbridge, with her throat cut.

Her brother Paul said: "We can't begin to express our relief that someone has been arrested."

Wiltshire Police said they were awaiting written confirmation of Mr Quintas' arrest from their Spanish counterparts.

Wanted by police

Mr Richards added: "Our family have been devastated at the loss of Hayley.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Wiltshire Constabulary, the Spanish and Portuguese authorities and the other agencies involved."

Mr Quintas is believed to have been stopped in Spain on Tuesday for driving a car with no number plates.

He had previously been named by police as being wanted for the murder of Ms Richards.

Joaquim Sergio Da Cunha, 29, has already appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the case.

Mr Da Cunha is accused of cleaning Ms Richards' flat, cleaning clothes and making false statements to police to obstruct their inquiries.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Swindon Crown Court on 24 June.