THE nephew of missing Newport pensioner Marie Veronica Reynolds was released last night after being quizzed by police about her disappearance.

Michael Hunt was released on police bail to report to a police station at a later date.

Mrs Reynolds, 70, of Hollybush Avenue, Malpas, was reported missing just over a year ago, on August 13, 2002.

Neighbours of Mrs Reynolds and police sources said her nephew, 52-year-old Michael Hunt, of Cardiff, was arrested yesterday.

Neighbours say Mr Hunt arrived in the street at 8am yesterday, closely followed by the police. His car was sealed up by officers and taken away at 10am.

As one team searched Mrs Reynolds' home yesterday, raking over gravel and examining a pair of green curtains, another searched a house in Waun-y-groes Avenue, Rhiwbina.

Since the pensioner's disappearance, police have searched fields and rivers and carried out forensic tests on her home.

In April this year, specialist search teams were brought in to dig in fields behind Hollybush Avenue after officers received information that Wessex Water were working there at the time she went missing.

Police said at the time they feared the pensioner, who had a history of depression, could have fallen into one of the holes during one of her walks along the canalbank.

But the searches failed to turn up any new evidence.

Last night, a family statement was issued by police, which said: "We miss her dearly... we are very keen to find out the truth."

A neighbour in Hollybush Avenue, who did not want to be named, said: "The nephew arrived here this morning and the police took his car away."

Inspector Paul Griffiths, of Bettws police, said yesterday: "A 52-year-old man from Cardiff was arrested just before 8am in relation to her disappearance.

"We are appealing for anyone who has information to contact Gwent Police headquarters on 01633 838111."