THE artist who designed the inflatable artwork Dreamspace has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by detectives investigating the tragedy.

Abstract artist Maurice Agis was arrested yesterday morning when he attended an interview at Charing Cross police station, in central London, accompanied by his solicitor.

The 74-year-old, from east London, was questioned under police caution by detectives from Durham Constabulary, who had travelled to the capital, before being released on police bail until early next year, pending further inquiries.

Detectives have previously spoken to Mr Agis in connection with the incident in July, when the artwork became airborne after breaking free from its moorings in Riverside Park, Chester-le-Street, but yesterday was the first time he had been arrested.

Mother-of-two Claire Furm-edge, 38, from Graythwaite, Chester-le-Street, and Elizabeth Anne Collings, 68, from Dalton Heights, in Seaham, east Durham, were killed in the accident.

About a dozen people were injured, including three-year-old Rosie Wright, from Langley Park, and 23-year-old Gemma Nadolski, from Sacriston, both County Durham.

Hundreds of people watched in horror as the multi-coloured sculpture rose 100ft into the air, flipped on its side and careered across the park before becoming snagged on a security camera pole only metres from the River Wear.

Mr Agis, a graduate of St Martin's School of Art, in London, was in the park on the day and tried to hold on to the guide ropes as the installation took to the air, throwing those inside to the ground.