Detectives investigating the suspected murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio in Australia are investigating possible links with a man arrested for another killing.

The man's DNA will be compared with samples taken from the clothing of Mr Falconio's girlfriend Joanne Lees, New South Wales Police said.

He was arrested in connection with a stabbing death in Sydney and police in the city are working with officers in the Northern Territory, where Mr Falconio disappeared, to see if there is a link.

The 28-year-old backpacker vanished on 14 July last year and it is thought he was shot by a gunman, who also attempted to abduct Ms Lees on a desert highway north of Alice Springs.

Reward

New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione told Australian television his force was co-operating with the Falconio investigation.

An e-fit of the attacker has not led to arrests

He said: "Over recent days we've been assisting our counterparts in the Northern Territory Police and will continue to do so in the future".

It is thought a spot of blood on Ms Lees's jumper belongs to her attacker and it will now be compared with samples from the man in custody.

In a television interview in March this year Ms Lees accused Australian police of "taking it easy" over her boyfriend's suspected murder.

Mr Falconio's body has never been found and despite one of the largest manhunt's Australia has seen, police have not made any arrests.

There is a �97,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the attacker.