A MAN arrested in connection with the mutilation of Chester man Stephen Prudhoe was yesterday released on police bail.

Signs of a possible breakthrough in the investigation into Mr Prudhoe's mysterious death came on Tuesday when a man, who was local to the Chester area, was held in custody before being interviewed at length by murder squad detectives.

But yesterday, Chester police announced he was released on police bail, without charge, until the end of May. They have so far released no further details about the man.

The arrest marked the first break in the hunt for the person responsible for hacking off Mr Prudhoe's genitals as he lay dead from a heart attack.

Police found Mr Prudhoe, 49, on the landing of his Blacon Point Road home at 5.10pm on Wednesday, March 10, and immediately began a major probe.

Yesterday, Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Marsden, who is leading the hunt, said he had not ruled out murder and vowed to catch the culprit responsible for Mr Prudhoe's death.

Police swooped on the 21-year-old, who could be from the Blacon area, after receiving a telephone call from a member of the public.

DCI Marsden said: 'This man was interviewed at length before being released on bail. As of yet, he has not been ruled in or out. We still need to do a lot more.'

Police hope results of new forensic tests will be available next week which could include new DNA evidence.

Police say someone must have touched Mr Prudhoe to carry out the act of dismembering his body.

Chemicals are said to have been applied to walls of Mr Prudhoe's house in the hope of uncovering fingerprints.

DCI Marsden, who is trying to secure the help of a criminal psychologist, added: 'The techniques used to compile this forensic evidence are timely and we hope to have the results next week.

'We are still trying to build up a picture as to why someone would want to do this to Mr Prudhoe. There is nothing in Mr Prudhoe's background to make someone want to do this.'

Meanwhile, mourners will pay their last respects to Mr Prudhoe today (Friday).

Close friends, ex-colleagues and detectives are expected to attend a funeral service at Chester Crematorium at 1.30pm.

His friend Michael Clough is said to have organised the service.

Police can allow the funeral to go ahead after compiling a number of tests on Mr Prudhoe's body and securing the results of a second post-mortem examination which ruled that pneumonia and a heart attack contributed to Mr Prudhoe's death.

Asked whether police have ruled out murder, DCI Marsden said: 'I have never said it was murder but I am not ruling it out.

'We are investigating the suspicious death of a man found at his house and the circumstances surrounding his death.

'We can now, for the sake of his friends, allow the funeral to go ahead. We have carried out all the tests we need.'

Asked whether Mr Prudhoe's death could remain a mystery, DCI Marsden said: 'I am always hopeful we will identify the culprit who carried out this act.'

Anyone with any information is asked to call DCI Marsden on 01244 350222.