'Most wanted' man set to return

One of Britain's most wanted men, suspected of murdering a woman almost 20 years ago, is on the brink of being extradited back to the UK.

Kent Police said "arrangements were being made" to bring Keith Cottingham back to the UK for questioning over the parcel bomb murder of 53-year-old grandmother Barbara Harrold in May 1984.

His extradition has finally been approved by the Spanish authorities, who have signed surrender papers allowing him to be brought back to the UK.

Although the police and Home Office would not confirm the exact date of his extradition, it is thought it could be a matter of days.

Parcel explosion

Mr Cottingham, now aged 71, was arrested by Spanish police at his villa on the Costa Blanca 13 months ago.

He has always denied any involvement in the murder, which took place at Mrs Harrold's £1m home near Sevenoaks in Kent.

Mrs Harrold died three days after a gift-wrapped parcel - containing a bomb made of air gun pellets, nails and parts of fireworks - exploded as she opened it.

Police discovered Mr Cottingham left England for Spain the night the bomb was posted.

Lost appeal

The police also found Mr Cottingham and Mrs Harrold had argued about a bill for a Spanish holiday home.

Mr Cottingham has resisted past extradition attempts.

Cottingham, a former rat-catcher, lost an appeal against extradition in April and again in July. But the extradition still had to be approved by the Spanish government.

He is now in custody at Denia near Benidorm.

The Home Office included his name on a list of Britain's most wanted men sent to the Spanish Justice Minister several years after the murder of Mrs Harrold.