A MAN from Blackburn is being questioned about the murder of a seven-year-old boy whose body was found in a bin bag.

Ryan Mason died from multiple injuries and his body was discovered at Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course, Bolton, on Wednesday.

Detectives were today quizzing a 22-year-old Blackburn man for a third day. He was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted abduction but is now being quizzed directly about Ryan's death.

The man, who has not been identified, is from a large Blackburn family and lived in the Shadsworth area of town for many years before moving to Bolton a couple of years ago.

Ryan was last seen on Monday at about 5.30am by his mother Lynn at his home in Hawker Avenue, Great Lever, when he got up early to play computer games.

She did not report him missing until 11am on Wednesday because she thought he was staying with members of his extended family.

A full-scale search was launched and the man, a family friend of the Masons' was arrested at Bolton railway station.

Officers started the search for Ryan near his home address late on Tuesday night before bringing in the police tactical aid unit.

A group of 40 officers, including an underwater search unit, carried out an extensive search of the golf course near Ryan's home.

Ryan's body was found in a ditch near the clubhouse just five minutes before a Press conference was due to be held to appeal for information.

Det Supt Ian Hilton, of Greater Manchester Police, confirmed he had launched a murder inquiry.

He said: "The way the body was found makes it clear that there are suspicious circumstances and he did not die from natural causes.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The post-mortem examination showed Ryan died from multiple injuries."

Last night a 39-year-old man police said was from Bolton was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.