A man has been arrested in Scotland by detectives probing the murder of a prominent loyalist paramilitary in Belfast.

Ulster Defence Association (UDA) member John Boreland, 46, was gunned down in north Belfast last month.

A 29-year-old man was detained in north Ayrshire while two others, aged 33 and 61, were arrested in north Belfast on Tuesday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

All three suspects have been taken to Musgrave police station in Belfast for questioning.

Searches of two properties in north Ayrshire are also being conducted.

Detective chief inspector Justyn Galloway, who is leading the murder hunt, said: "Officers have travelled to Scotland to assist colleagues from Police Scotland with the arrest and related searches."

Boreland, a well-known criminal, was hit a number of times with a shotgun as he walked to his flat in the Sunningdale Gardens area of north Belfast on August 7. He died at the scene.

A number of searches were also carried out in Belfast and a vehicle was seized.

Mr Galloway made a fresh appeal for information about a car used by the gunmen which has been subject to a detailed forensic examination.

He said: "The investigation is progressing and I would again appeal for information about a silver Renault Megane car which was used by the killers.

"The car, registration number GJZ 4870, was in the Ballysillan area of north Belfast in the days leading up to the murder on Sunday, August 7.

"We are still very keen to hear from anyone who saw it, saw who was in it and where it had been parked."

The vehicle was found partially burnt out at an old quarry on Wheelers Road near Lisburn on August 9.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on the non-emergency 101 number.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.