A SECOND man was being questioned today by detectives investigating the murder of schoolboy Ryan Mason.

Officers arrested the 39-year-old last night on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to hampering the investigation into the seven-year-old's death.

They have also applied for extra time to question a 22-year-old man arrested earlier in relation to the murder of schoolboy Ryan Mason.

Officers have been given until 6.30pm today to question the man further following the discovery of Ryan's body in a bin bag at Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course on Wednesday afternoon.

The Queen Street primary school pupil, who had been missing from home for two days, died from multiple injuries.

Headteacher Sheila Holland today paid tribute to Ryan who she described as a "quiet little boy who was fiercely loyal to his friends."

Detectives arrested the 22-year-old man at Bolton's Trinity Street railway station at 6.30am on Wednesday on suspicion of attempted abduction.

The man, who is believed to be from the Johnson Fold area, is a family friend of the Masons and was staying at the home in Hawker Avenue, Great Lever.

Following the discovery of Ryan's body, he was re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police applied for an extension from Bolton magistrates yesterday afternoon because the deadline was due to expire at 6pm.

Ryan was last seen on Monday at about 5.30am by his mother Lynn at their home playing on computer games.

The 40-year-old did not report him missing until 11.30am the following day because she thought he was staying with extended members of the family.

A full scale search of the area where Ryan lived was launched on Tuesday and this was extended to the golf course off Plodder Lane following the man's arrest.

A child's body was found in a ditch surrounded by trees shortly before a press conference was due to start to appeal for help in tracing the little boy.

His mother Lynn and his father Greg Pickup, who lives in Gorton, Manchester, have been too upset to talk about Ryan's death.

Det Supt Jack Dees, who is leading the investigation, said: "Inquiries are continuing into the murder of Ryan.

"We have two men in for questioning and interviewing will continue today."