MICHAEL Cope has been arrested in Leigh on suspicion of the murder of a woman in Winton, Eccles.

At 11.55pm last night, Friday, armed officers were called to Larch Road following reports that a wanted man was at the address.

A 28-year-old man handed himself in to police and was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Linzi Ashton.

He is in custody for questioning and police say they are no longer looking for Michael Cope.

Linzi, a mother-of-two, was found dead at her home in Winton by relatives shortly before 6pm on June 29.

A post mortem examination concluded Linzi died as a result of pressure to the neck and multiple injuries.

The arrest follows several days of intense police activity in the Leigh area. On Friday, a few hours before Cope was arrested, a large number of officers were involved in a search of a wooded area between the Atherleigh Way town centre bypass and the Westleigh 'Trees' estate where he was eventually tracked down. 

Det Supt Tony Creely said: “Since Linzi was killed nearly a month ago there has been an intensive manhunt to find and arrest her killer safely.

“Late last night we received intelligence which led us to an address on Larch Road in Leigh.

“Armed officers attended and a 28-year-old man handed himself into police.

“Over recent weeks we have received a very positive response from the public, and we thank the people of Salford, Hindley and Leigh for their cooperation and support.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5092 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”