Detectives hunting the killer of a 33-year-old woman found dead after a Christmas party were last night questioning a 35-year-old.

The body of Charmian Falkner was discovered in a flat in Dorset Gardens, Brighton, on Thursday by her sister Abigail and Abigail's boyfriend.

Her family had become concerned when they did not hear from her during Christmas.

Police had been trying to trace Paul Flynn, who lived at the flat where Ms Falkner was found strangled.

It is believed he is the 35-year-old man detectives were questioning last night at Brighton police station.

He was arrested in London on Monday by officers from Operation Orator.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "A 35-year-old man is under arrest and has been brought to Brighton police station for questioning. He was arrested on suspicion of murder. We are no longer looking for Mr Flynn."

Ms Falkner, 33, left Brighton last year to return to her family, who live in Braunton, north Devon.

However, she decided to spend Christmas in Brighton and attend a staff party at the Brighton Centre, where she had previously worked as a security guard.

She was last seen leaving the Queensbury Arms pub, Queensbury Mews, close to the Brighton Centre, on December 21, where she went after the party. She left with three men to get a taxi.

Detectives today repeated their appeal for information to piece together the final hours of Ms Falkner's life and are asking anybody who saw her in the Queensbury Arms to get in touch.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis, leading the inquiry, said: "We now believe she left the pub at 11.20pm with a group of people. We need to know where she went after leaving that pub."

Call 0845 6070999 with information.