North Yorkshire's biggest manhunt, following the murders of twin sisters and a frail elderly couple, ends at a village on the outskirts of York.

BRITAIN'S most wanted man - Mark Hobson - has been dramatically arrested in a village near York.

He was spotted when he called at a garage to buy matches.

Phone calls from the garage owner and a member of the public brought dozens of officers - some armed - racing to fields alongside the A19 near Shipton-by-Beningbrough.

They arrested him on suspicion of murdering 27-year-old twin sisters Claire and Diane Sanderson, at Camblesforth, near Selby, and pensioners James and Joan Britton, at Strensall, near York, and he was taken to a police station for questioning.

It is understood that Hobson, 34, was later taken to Harrogate District Hospital after complaining of abdominal pains.

Detectives had been wanting to question the divorced father-of-three since the bodies of his girlfriend, Claire, and her sister, Diane, were found early last Sunday in Claire's flat at Camblesforth, and those of Mr and Mrs Britton were discovered hours later in their home just outside Strensall.

Evening Press reporters and photographers were the first on the scene after the arrest. A reliable source said Hobson had given himself up quietly and not attempted to resist arrest.

"He looked like he had spent a couple of days sleeping rough and he obviously looked tired and dishevelled," he said.

"His clothes were bloodstained on both his upper and lower body. The blood was dried and matted."

Another eye-witness said Hobson had been spotted trying to buy matches at North's Garage. It is understood that garage owner Derek North made one of two 999 calls to police, while another was made by two customers.

The customers, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke exclusively to the Evening Press about the dramatic moment when they first saw Hobson.

"He had been in the garage shop," said one. "We were waiting for petrol. He looked really rough. His face was drawn. He had lots of stubble and he looked as if he had the world on his shoulders. He was walking with a skulk."

The customers said Hobson was wearing cream canvas trousers that were particularly dirty at the back, and a canvas jacket, possibly charcoal in colour.

"He looked at our car as he was walking past, and there was almost a grin-like expression on his face. He looked like the pictures I had seen of him in the newspaper, but his hair was slightly longer.

"Mr North came over to us and said to us that he thought he looked like Hobson, and we watched him walking away from the garage towards York. He was carrying a water bottle.

"He had only gone a short way when he turned round and looked at us and saw we were watching. Then he went over the hedge. It looked as if he was making a break for it.

"We dialled 999 on our mobile, and we saw Mr North running back to his house to phone the police."

Mr North, who is married and a father-of-two, is a well-known and respected figure in the community and is believed to have lived in the village all his life.

Regular garage customer Trevor Hainsworth and his wife pulled into the forecourt of the filling station to fill up with diesel just as the police arrived to arrest Hobson.

"Mrs North came running out and said: 'We have got him'," said Mr Hainsworth. "Mr North said he recognised him straight away."

Deputy Chief Constable Roger Baker and Detective Superintendent Javad Ali confirmed to a hastily assembled press conference in York that Hobson had been arrested.

Mr Baker said: "Following a police operation at 3.43pm this afternoon, I can announce that 34-year-old Mark Hobson has been found and arrested.

"As a result of a call from the public, he was found in a field at Shipton-by-Beningbrough on the A19 and arrested by North Yorkshire Police officers on suspicion of murdering Claire and Diane Sanderson and James and Joan Britton.

"He is presently at a police station in North Yorkshire where he will be questioned about the four murders.

"As a result of Mr Hobson's arrest, legal proceedings are now active in this inquiry, and accordingly it would not be appropriate for me to make further comment at this stage.

"I would, however, like to record our most sincere thanks to the public for the magnificent help and support they have given to the police throughout this investigation.

"I also wish to thank the media for their understanding and assistance which has helped us enormously."

Mr Ali said: "The thoughts of all of us are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives."

Updated: 07:30 Monday, July 26, 2004