Detectives leading the hunt for the killer of Hannah Foster say they are "optimisitic" that the man captured in India yesterday (Thursday) is their prime suspect in the case, Maninder Pal Singh Kohli.

A man, believed to be Kohli, was arrested at a motel in West Bengal, near the border with Nepal. Indian police say he was captured during a dawn raid on the motel and that he offered no resistance to police.

The arrest follows an emotional plea made by Hannah's parents, Trevor and Hilary who are currently in India appealing for information that might help trace their daughter's killer.

Speaking yesterday from India Detective Superintendent Alan Betts confirmed that a man had been arrested but said he was waiting for official confirmation of the man's identity.

"It is too early to say who this man is," he said. "We are working to establish that as quickly as possible, but we are cautiously optimistic."

Det Supt Betts accompanied Hannah's parents to India and has been meeting with senior officers in India who are co-ordinating the hunt for Kohli.

While in India the Fosters have also launched a toll-free hotline in a bid to persuade people to come forward with information. They have also offered a five million rupee award - £70,000 - for any information which leads to an arrest.

The couple's most recent public appeal was in Kohli's home city of Chandigarh, in India's Punjab state.

Hampshire police believe Kohli, (35) a van driver, fled to the area just two days after Hannah's body was found in undergrowth Allington Lane, West End.

The 17-year-old disappeared after a night out with friends on March 14th 2003.

Her body was found two days later after a passenger in a passing car spotted what they thought was a body in the bushes and alerted police. Forensic tests revealed Hannah had been raped and strangled.

Within the first 24 hours of the hotline being set up in India, 134 calls had been received. If the arrested man's identity is confirmed, Hampshire Police say extradition proceedings will begin.

Isle of Wight man Tim Blackman, whose daughter, Lucy, was murdered in Japan in 2000, has been advising the Fosters during their trip to India. He described the arrest as "incredible news."