A man has been arrested after his 26-year-old British girlfriend died from stab wounds while working at a remote holiday resort in Lapland.

A police helicopter and husky search was launched after the 36-year-old suspect, thought to be Czech, fled into hostile terrain near the town of Kuttanen with the couple's dogs.

He offered no resistance when he was found hours later in temperatures of -30C (-22F) before being sent for treatment at Lapland's central hospital in the capital Rovaniemi on Sunday morning.

The unnamed victim from Scotland and her boyfriend were seasonal employees with tour operator Santa Safari, which describes itself as one of Lapland's leading inbound travel companies providing Arctic wilderness trips for adults and children.

The company's recruitment advertisements describe working in the remote environment as "not for the faint hearted" while offering staff "a lifetime experience like no other".

"We are all in shock from this tragic news and our thoughts go out to her family," the company said in a statement.

"Our team is working closely with the Finnish Police and relevant authorities to support the investigation that is now under way.

"It goes without saying that we will do everything we can to support the family and our staff at this incredibly difficult time."

A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Finland on 3 December."