CLAIRE Knights' son has issued a desperate plea and shared more information about his missing mum - as cops arrest a man on suspicion of murder.

       The 54-year-old was last seen in the village of Upstreet near Canterbury, Kent on Wednesday morning and her son, Elliot, revealed she was "wearing a bikini" at the time of her disappearance.

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       Claire Knights, 54, vanished on Wednesday morning 3

       She had been walking her dog

       She was walking her dog along the beach and carried with her a "hiking rucksack".

       In a desperate appeal on Facebook, Elliot wrote: "She is a type 1 diabetic.

       "If she is suffering from low blood sugar, she would appear disorientated, confused and almost drunk with slurred speech and difficulty walking. If this continues she may collapse.

       "She was wearing a bikini and had with her a pink/red roll top hiking rucksack, a black dog lead which fastens around the waist, and a red and black dog collar with her phone number embroidered onto it.

       "If anyone has any information please get in contact asap."

       Her vehicle, a silver Suzuki, has since been found parked in Shuart Lane in St Nicholas-at-Wade near Margate.

       She is believed to have walked from there to the Minnis Bay area of Birchington, where she is reported to have been seen later that afternoon.

       Her white-and-brown spaniel was found wandering around on the beach on its own by police on Wednesday.

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       The 54-year-old's disappearance is now being treated as suspicious and a potential murder.

       One friend, who has known Claire for years, said: "I last saw Claire three weeks ago and she seemed fine.

       "She seemed her usual self. I feel like something terrible has happened to her. I'm very upset about it.

       "We're absolutely devastated."

       The friend, who asked not to be named, said Claire is a talented sculptor who has won awards for her work.

       She added: "She's an incredibly good artist and not commercial at all - her work comes right from her heart. It's profound.

       "She deserves some recognition. She never takes the easy route - her work is amazing."

       The friend described Claire - who disappeared on Wednesday as an "animal lover" who regularly looks after other people's pets.

       She added: "Her and her partner look after dogs. She's a massive animal lover, so it's no surprise that she was walking her dog when she disappeared.

       "She's just lovely - a very genuine person."

       On Thursday, a man in his 20s from Margate was arrested on suspicion of murder.

       Police are continuing searches in Thanet as part of their work to locate Claire, who is described as being around five feet and six inches tall, with straight brown, greying hair.

       Detective Chief Inspector Kath Way, of Kent Police, said: "Specialist officers are supporting the family at what is obviously an extremely difficult time for them and my officers are working hard to find out what happened to Claire.

       "Claire's spaniel was recovered in Minnis Bay by officers on August 23 but we have not been able to locate her.

       "It is entirely out of character for her not to contact her family.

       "We are keeping an open mind as to what may have happened and still hope to find Claire safe and well, however we are now also treating this case as a potential murder.

       "I would urge anyone who may have seen Claire since she was reported missing to contact our appeal line.

       "In addition, if you think you may have seen anything suspicious in the Minnis Bay area do not hesitate to call us.

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       "Residents with private CCTV and drivers with dashcam are also asked to check for relevant footage."

       Anyone who believes they have seen Claire is urged to call 999, quoting reference number 23-1922.

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       She was carrying this backpack at the time of her disapearance