A MAN arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife-to-be has been released by detectives.

Timothy Barnes, 47, who has been quizzed by police since Tuesday morning, was not charged, and bailed until June.

His release came as police ended their three-day dig at his home in Voysey Gardens, Basildon, where he lived with Nicola Ray before she disappeared in 2000.

The dig, which focused on the garden and garage, failed to unearth any evidence.