Police have been given another 12 hours to question a man arrested in connection with a series of shop fires around Kingston yesterday.

Clothes were set alight in both Marks and Spencers stores, as well as Gap, Reiss, Monsoon, White Stuff and Superdry.

Kingston police arrested a 52-year-old man at around 5pm yesterday on suspicion of arson.

Today, more than 24 hours after his arrest, he was still being questioned.

A police spokesman said extension powers had been granted to keep him in custody for a further 12 hours.

He said: "The man arrested on suspicion of arson remains in police custody at a south London police station.

Officers investigating the arsons have been granted an extension to the initial 24 hour detention period."

Police now have until 5am tomorrow to decide whether or not to charge the man with an offence, or apply to a magistrates' court for more time.