A double rape suspect in Australia is also being investigated over the disappearance of British backpacker Peter Falconio, it has been revealed.

The 44-year-old man was arrested over rape allegations in Port Augusta, 800 miles from where Mr Falconio disappeared in South Australia in July last year.

But officers on the Falconio inquiry say the man has also been identified to them as a "person of interest".

Police are playing down suggestions of a 'major breakthrough'

He appeared in court in Port Augusta on Thursday on two charges of rape, two of unlawful detention and of firearms offences.

It is believed police will now take DNA samples from him to compare with those taken from where Mr Falconio vanished.

However, police were keen to play down suggestions the latest news could present a "major breakthrough" in the mystery surrounding the 28-year-old's disappearance.

In June, DNA samples were taken from another man arrested over a stabbing in New South Wales but they did not match.

Scaling back

Mr Falconio, from near Huddersfield, is believed to have been shot by a gunman who then attempted to abduct his girlfriend Joanne Lees, after they were flagged down near the tiny outpost of Barrow Creek, 175 miles north of Alice Springs.

His body has never been found and Australia's Northern Territory Police have made no arrests.

Last month, a year after he went missing, police in Australia vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in the inquiry.

But they simultaneously announced they were scaling back the investigation with the number of officers working on the case cut from 12 to seven.