A CARETAKER and his girlfriend were today SAT arrested on suspicion of murdering Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, police sources said.

The grim development in the 13-day hunt for the missing ten-year-olds took place in Soham and was the first confirmation that police feared they were dead.

Ian Huntley, 28, who reported talking to the girls on the night they vanished, was arrested on suspicion of abducting and murdering the best friends.

His girlfriend Maxine Carr, 25, a teaching assistant in the girls' class last term, was arrested on suspicion of murdering the pair.

The development was broken to Holly and Jessica's parents early this morning before an announcement to media.

Neither girl's body has been found and police were continuing their searches, both around Soham and at the site encompassing the college, the girls' primary school and Mr Huntley's caretaker's cottage.

It also includes the college hall where Nicola and Kevin Wells and Sharon and Leslie Chapman yesterday made an emotional plea for the return of their daughters.

Police were also conducting a search at the home of Kevin and Lynda Huntley, Ian Huntley's parents, in the nearby village of Littleport.

Even as late as last night police were clinging to some hope that the girls were alive, hopes which have also been carried by the villagers of Soham, and the nation as a whole.

Today Soham was a town in shock as the news spread.

The examination of St Andrew's Primary School and its surrounding grounds is expected to last possibly a week.

Police have until 4am tomorrow to decide whether to charge the couple or extend their time in custody.