Police investigating the death of a dog owner under mysterious circumstances arrested two people on suspicion of murder today.

Officers from Durham Constabulary's major crime team, which has been investigating the death of George Button, called at a house in West Rainton, near Durham, shortly after 9am, and arrested a man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s.

The pair were taken to Durham City police station, where they are both being held for questioning.

Mr Button, 53, left his home in St Mary's Drive, West Rainton, at about 7pm on Monday, March 3, intending to take his 14-year-old border collie, Laddie, for a walk.

Just over half an hour later, he was spotted by a passing motorist on a verge in Mark's Lane, on the outskirts of the village.

He was lying in a pool of blood, and had severe head injuries.

Mr Button died in Newcastle General Hospital last Wednesday.

Detectives have been unable to confirm whether he was the victim of an assault or a traffic accident.

On Monday night, they staged a reconstruction with Laddie and an officer posing as Mr Button in a bid to attract witnesses.

Following yesterday's arrests, crime scene examiners began a detailed examination of the house where they were carried out.