LONDON - Police said on Wednesday they had arrested a canoeist who reappeared at the weekend more than five years after he went missing, presumed drowned, off the coast of northeast England.

John Darwin, 57, who walked into a London police station on Saturday, was reported missing in March 2002 after the shattered remains of his red canoe were found washed up on a beach near Hartlepool, Cleveland.

Despite extensive searches involving aircraft, lifeboats and a Royal Navy ship, no trace was found of him.

Since his return, his family have said he has no memory, not just of the five years since his disappearance, but also the previous two years.

Cleveland Police, who are investigating his whereabouts during the time he was missing, said he had now been arrested.

"A 57-year-old man has been arrested by Hampshire Police at the request of Cleveland Police in relation to their ongoing investigation surrounding the disappearance of John Darwin from Hartlepool in March 2002," a spokesman said.

Detectives had no further comment.

On Tuesday, Darwin's family told of their delight and shock after he surfaced alive and well.

His sons Anthony and Mark said it had been stressful and traumatic for the family, adding that while their father was in good health he couldn't remember anything.

"We have spoken with John and he appears to be in good health, however he currently has no memory of events since June 2000," they said.

"We appreciate that there is huge media interest in this story. However, due to John's memory loss there is little more we can add."

Media reports have said that Darwin's wife, Anne, 55, left the country with 450,000 pounds shortly before his re-appearance after selling her home near Hartlepool.

She told newspapers that she had cashed in her husband's life insurance policies but rejected suggestions Darwin had faked his own death.

"They were claimed in good faith when I believe I had lost my husband and now he has come back from the dead," the Daily Mail newspaper quoted her as saying from Panama, where she is now living.

"There are many, many things we have to talk about. I know it's not going to be easy."