DETECTIVES investigating one of Hampshire's most notorious unsolved crimes have arrested a man, the Daily Echo can reveal.

He has been questioned in connection with five sex attacks at a Hampshire beauty spot during the 1990s.

During the attacks a man wearing a balaclava and brandishing a handgun targeted courting couples in Farley Mount Country Park near Winchester between 1991 and 1998.

The latest twist in the hunt for one of the county's most wanted men came as police launched a new appeal for information on the tenth anniversary of his most serious attack.

Investigating officer Det Chief Insp Martin Fotheringham confirmed a Hampshire man had been arrested in the past few months.

He added that the individual had been released while more inquiries were made.

He stressed that although the case remained unsolved new information had recently come to light.

Detectives want to talk to the driver of a green, short-wheel base, series 3 Land Rover with a canvas cover and a drop down tailgate. It was an old-style S-registration number plate.

The vehicle - which is an ex-Army-type - was seen about the time of the most serious attack almost ten years ago. At about 10.30pm on November 3, 1992 the attacker - described as tall and stocky - forced his way into a courting couple's car.

He subdued the boyfriend before gagging and blindfolding the woman, carrying her to his vehicle, driving her to an unknown location to rape her. Several hours later she was dumped in a lay-by near Cheriton.

Det Chief Insp Fotheringham, who heads Operation Kayak to catch the rapist, revealed that the Land Rover was seen near the scene of the crime at the time. He said it matches a description of the vehicle's interior provided by the rape victim.

He said: "We have never actually spoken to the person in that vehicle."

The lead comes after detectives unexpectedly received two new clues in spring 2001.

He said: "Over the past two years a couple of pieces of information have come to light.

"As a result of that the inquiry has focussed on certain new areas which we haven't previously looked at. The Land Rover is one such line of inquiry.

"We have narrowed down some areas of the inquiry quite considerably. We are making progress."

The 1992 attack came during a series of attacks at the beauty spot.

On January 25, 1991 the attacker tied up a girl with a seatbelt and used adhesive tape to bind her head before committing a serious sex assault on her.

On November 29, 1994 a women had a lucky escape after her boyfriend resisted his approach.

On April 22, 1996 another woman had a lucky escape after she was tied up with tape and forced into the attacker's vehicle. After indecently assaulting her, the attacker cut her free.

On May 28, 1998 a couple escaped when the attacker tried to wrench open their car door. The doors were locked and they drove off before he could get in.

In each attack, he brandished a Beretta-style handgun and in the 1992 assaults wore an olive green Italian-style army jacket. On every occasion the attacker carefully covers his tracks - ensuring all items he brings are removed.

Det Chief Insp Fotheringham is appealing for anyone to come forward who can help them identify the Land Rover's owner, or seen anything suspicious in the area at the time.

He is also asking for anyone who may have been approached by the attacker, or a victim of a similar incident, to come forward.