A WOMAN from Essex who was personal assistant to former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has been arrested as part of the investigation into phone hacking.

Cheryl Carter, from Ramsden Heath, which lies just south of the Hanningfield Reservoir, was planning to emigrate to Australia at the end of the month, a friend told the Chronicle.

Scotland Yard arrested the 47-year-old on Friday morning, at her home in Church Road, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

She spent the day being questioned by officers and was bailed on Friday evening to return to an Essex police station later this month.

A neighbour of Ms Carter, who declined to be named, said the former News International employee had written in a Christmas card that she was moving to Australia with her husband.

Describing Ms Carter as a "lovely person", the neighbour said: "They sent us a Christmas card saying they are going to Australia at the end of the month."

The neighbour also described how Ms Carter had been "upset" upon learning about the closure of the News of the World in July after phone hacking allegations.

Ms Carter is the 17th person to be arrested as part of Operation Weeting, Scotland Yard's investigation into phone hacking.

Former Wickford pupil and News of the World editor Andy Coulson is also among those to have been arrested and bailed over phone hacking allegations.

Detectives are understood to be investigating allegations that e-mails were destroyed at the company before evidence was handed over to the Metropolitan Police.

Ms Carter had been a PA to Brooks for 19 years.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police on Friday said: "Officers from Operation Weeting have this morning arrested a 47-year-old woman at an address in Essex.

"The woman was arrested at approximately 06.55 on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice, and she is currently in custody at an Essex police station."

Ms Carter is the first Weeting arrest since private investigator Glenn Mulcaire was released on bail until March over allegations of phone hacking and perverting the course of justice.

Ms Carter worked for Ms Brooks when she was appointed News of the World editor in 2000, Sun editor in 2003, and then promoted to News International chief executive in 2009.

She is a partner in a cosmetics business with former model and celebrity make-up artist Sue Moxley, and has also offered beauty tips on website Thinkingslim mer.com.

It is understood that she left New International shortly after Brooks resigned from the company.

Ms Carter declined to comment.