Man, 32, to appear in court charged with murder of midwife Samantha Eastwood

Michael Stirling, 32, from Cromer Road, Stoke-on-Trent, will appear at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court on Monday, Staffordshire Police said.

Stirling is reported to be the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood's ex-fiance John Peake.

The body of the 28-year-old midwife was found by officers near Caverswall on Saturday - eight days after Ms Eastwood was reported missing.

She had been last seen in uniform leaving work at Royal Stoke Hospital at 7.45am on Friday July 27.

Two other men, aged 28 and 60, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.

In a statement released by Staffordshire Police, Ms Eastwood's family thanked supporters for their efforts.

They said: "The family of Samantha would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.

"We would like to say 'thank you' to all the people who followed Samantha's story and tried their best to help."

A post-mortem examination took place on Sunday, but further tests are required.