POLICE searching for a miner who disappeared three years ago arrested a fourth person yesterday.

Former miner Edward Donnelly vanished from the home he shared with his sister, Frances Donnelly in Fynway, Sacriston, County Durham, on March 25, 2002.

He is missing presumed dead, although his body has never been found.

The mystery took a new twist when his sister, his niece and his niece's husband were arrested on Thursday.

Kevin Griggs, 41, of Sacriston, was questioned on suspicion of murder. His wife, Marie Griggs, 39, of the town's Morningside, and 65-year-old sister Frances Donnelly, of nearby Dunelm Court, were questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Yesterday, police arrested a 45-year-old man from Sherburn Hill, near Durham, on suspicion of murder.

All four were last night released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The mystery of what happened to the then 53-year-old, known to family and friends as Eddie, deepened when police excavated the site of a former coal mine at Blackett's Bank, in Acorn Close Lane, Sacriston, in an attempt to discover what had become of him.

They also searched a former air raid shelter and explosives store.

Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin said last night: "We believe he has been murdered and have team of investigators dedicated to uncovering the truth and finding the person responsible.

"As has been the case all along, our inquiries in the coming weeks will continue to be focused on the community in Sacriston."

Anyone with information can contact police on 0191-375 2256 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.