A HAMPSHIRE man has been arrested in connection with the investigation that was launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Officers from Operation Yewtree have confirmed that a 53-year-old man has been arrested at his Hampshire home, believed to be in the Southampton area, as part of the investigation.

The 53-year-old man was detained by officers on suspicion of committing sexual offences.

He was arrested at 8am today and taken into custody locally.

At around midday a 59-year-old man was also arrested and questioned by officers on similar offences after being detained at an address in west London.

However, Scotland Yard has stressed that although part of Operation Yewtree, the allegations against the pair are not connected to those made against the late BBC presenter.

Yewtree was set up by the Metropolitan Police to investigate the abuse carried out by Savile who died in 2011 aged 84.

There are three strands to the inquiry, offences committed by Savile, those by him and associates and those just by others.

High-profile names arrested in connection with the investigation so far include comedian Freddie Starr, DJ Dave Lee Travis and PR consultant Max Clifford - all deny any wrongdoing. Gary Glitter, who was also arrested, has not made a comment.

The investigation as so far cost £2m, recorded 200 allegations and involved more than 500 victims.