Portuguese police have arrested a masseur accused of raping a British pensioner.

The 71-year-old went to police after allegedly being sexually attacked following a massage session in the Algarve town of Quarteira.

The 47-year-old suspect is understood to be from Eastern Europe.

It was not immediately clear today if the British woman lives in Portugal or was on holiday in the area.

A spokesman for Portugal's Policia Judiciaria police force, confirming the arrest in the Algarve municipality of Loule which Quarteira forms part of, said: 'Last Friday the Polícia Judiciaria arrested a 47-year-old man strongly suspected of raping a 71-year-old foreign national at a massage center in the municipality of Loule.

The 71-year-old went to police after allegedly being sexually attacked following a massage session in the Algarve town of Quarteira (file image of the town)

'The alleged victim reported the incident which the police found out had allegedly occurred after a massage session.

'As a result of the investigation, conducted by the PJ's Southern Directorate, officers were able to gather some very relevant evidence.'

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A source close to the ongoing investigation added: 'We are waiting for the medical reports to build up a full picture of what happened.

'Police are also looking into the arrested man's background to see if there have been prior cases involving this individual.

'In these kinds of cases, victims very often don't go to police out of shame or trauma although for now the information police have been able to gather on the detainee don't point to him having previous arrests or convictions in Portugal for any sex crimes.'

The unnamed man has already appeared in court and been bailed with the obligation to sign on every week and agree to a ban on contacting his alleged victim or her family.

The British woman made her initial complaint to Portugal's GNR police force with support from her family.

One well-placed source described her as being 'very upset' when she raised the alarm.

The commercial premises her alleged sex attacker operated from has not been identified.

Quarteira lies between the exclusive area of Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura with its magnificent marina and several golf courses.

It caters for a large number of Portuguese tourists and locals and is famed for its good-value restaurants and bars.