Detectives were last night continuing to quiz two men arrested over the suspected murder of missing Blackpool teenager - Charlene Downes.

The pair, aged 49 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of murdering the St George's High pupil following early morning raids at three addresses in Blackpool and Fleetwood on Tuesday.

A third man, aged 29, was also arrested and is being questioned in connection with Charlene's disappearance from a Blackpool bar more than two years ago - an event which sparked one of the longest running missing persons investigations in Lancashire Constabulary's history.

Forensic teams have also been carrying out detailed searches of two premises in the resort since the arrests - one at an address on Hornby Road and the other at the Funny Boyz takeaway, Dickson Road.

The detective leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini, yesterday confirmed that search teams are concentrating on finding evidence that the youngster may have visited one or both addresses at any time.

Detective Superintendent Buschini said: "These arrests are the most recent result of a lengthy and detailed investigation.

"I have always hoped we would find Charlene alive and well. Sadly, we now firmly believe that is no longer the case."

But Charlene's mum, Karen, 40, refuses to believe that her daughter may have been murdered.

Speaking from the family home on Buchanan Street in the resort, Karen said: "Charlene cannot be gone forever.

"My brain can't even register the possiblity that she may have died or, as the police claim, been murdered.

"How could anyone murder such a beautiful girl. I can't comprehend it.

"And until I see the physical evidence with my own eyes I won't accept it."

Now Karen, a mum-of-four, not only faces the teenager's 17th birthday but also her third Mothering Sunday without her beloved youngest daughter later this month.

Karen added: "I gave birth to four children, but for the last three years, I've only been able to be a mum to three of them.

"This uncertainty is torture.

"With this latest development I'm torn between needing to know what happened to my baby and not wanting to be told the worst possible news - that they've found her body."