The former abattoir worker accused of murdering schoolgirl April Jones made up a “story” that he had killed her in a car accident in a bid to “explain away” his role in the killing, a court heard today.

Police have been given extra time to question Mark Bridger after revealing he is now being held on suspicion of murdering five-year-old April Jones.

The man being held by British police searching for missing five-year-old April Jones is now being questioned about her murder, it was announced today.