A MAN is being questioned by detectives investigating the murder of

Scottish waitress Sandra Parkinson in South Devon, it was revealed

yesterday.

While police emphasised that they were continuing to pursue many other

lines of inquiry, they described the new lead as ''an interesting

development''.

The 33-year-old man from Shropshire is currently on remand at Exeter

prison, charged with a burglary offence and handling stolen goods in the

East Devon area.

He is being questioned by senior detectives from the Kingsbridge

incident room set up after Miss Parkinson was murdered last month.

The officers are awaiting the results of what are believed to be DNA

forensic tests being conducted at the Home Office laboratory.

Miss Parkinson, 22, from Stevenston in Ayrshire, was found raped and

strangled in undergrowth beside a clifftop path near Salcombe on July

21.

An official police statement said: ''In response to media speculation

we wish to stress that many people are being interviewed to confirm

their movements at the material time.

''In particular, as a result of our inquiries, a 33-year-old man has

been brought back from the Midlands to be interviewed in connection with

the murder and other offences.

''There is no evidence at this time to connect this man with the

murder at Salcombe and all other lines of inquiry are being actively

pursued.''

However, sources at the Kingsbridge incident room suggested that other

lines of inquiry were being downgraded.