A MAN has been arrested over the disappearance of an Accrington mother-of-six - as her family feared she could be dead.

Zainab Begum, 56, of Burnley Road, has been missing since Tuesday, January 13, when a family member saw her looking upset at her home.

There were further sightings by the public at Poundshrinker and at Nagyal Foods, both Accrington, but she has not been seen since.

The man, from the Manchester area, was arrested yesterday and was being questioned about the disappearance at Greenbank Police Station, in Whitebirk, today.

Police said it was completely out of character for Mrs Begum to go missing and they were concerned for her welfare.

Today, her daughter Samina, 31, of Queens Road West, Accrington, said: "It sounds horrible to say but she's probably dead because if she could make her way to a phone, she would have done by now.

"When my mum had been missing a week I prepared myself for the worst because the first week was the hardest ever.

"I was trying to shield my younger sisters from the worst but by day seven I had to tell them I didn't think we were going to find her. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

"I love my mum and I always will because no matter what, your parents are always there for you. They love you and care for you no matter how old you are. You always have a special bond and no one can replace that."

Det Insp Jim Elston, who is leading the investigation, said: "A man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and is assisting the police with their inquiries.

"He is currently being detained at the station.

"We have had no confirmed sightings since the day of her disappearance. We have had people ringing in who have given possible sightings but none of those were confirmed.

"Family liaison officers have been appointed to the family and they are keeping them up to date as to the progress of the investigation and offering specialist support."

Mrs Begum is Asian, of medium build, 5ft 3in tall, with black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.

She was wearing a black headscarf, a black woollen coat, black shoes and spectacles.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Accrington police on 01254 353730 or the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0500 700 700.