April Jones: Profile Of Suspect Mark Bridger

A suspect in the abduction of five-year-old April Jones has been described as "a bit of a ladies' man" who has fathered a number of children with different women.

Mark Bridger was arrested on Tuesday, two miles north of Machynlleth, the small town in mid-Wales where April was last seen.

Police have until 5pm on Friday to question the 46-year-old, who is thought to have worked as a welder, mechanic and hotel porter.

One local, Glen Lewis, 50, said Mr Bridger had also harvested trees on forestry land close to Machynlleth.

He said: "I know him well enough to wave to. I've always thought of him as a bit of a ladies' man."

Mr Bridger is believed to have fathered at least four children with two different partners.

His children include Scott Williams, 19, who lives on the same estate as April and joined the search for the missing youngster.

However, a person living on the Bryn-y-Gog estate who asked not to be named said: "I know he has at least four children but I'm fairly certain he has two, perhaps three others."

Neighbours claimed Mr Bridger has two young daughters who are said to have regularly played with April.

He has lived at a number of addresses in Machynlleth and lived on Bryn-y-Gog until his recent move to a rented cottage in nearby Ceinws, a village of just 80 people.

Police used drills to unbolt doors at the rented property and forensic teams have been searching the house and garden.