Wife held after Gambia body find

William West had been on holiday with his wife for nearly a month

The wife of a missing East Sussex pensioner has been arrested by police in The Gambia after his charred remains were found hidden in a sack.

William West, 76, of St Helen's Park in Hastings, had been staying with his wife Kate, 26, at their remote holiday home in the West African country.

His body was found near their beachside house in the village of Sanyang.

He disappeared after going into a shop in neighbouring Senegal on his own on 3 July while on a day trip with his wife.

Sussex Police said three men were also helping the Gambian authorities with their inquiries.

Mrs West returned to the UK after Mr West disappeared but made another trip to Africa on Tuesday with family friend David Jenkins to register Mr West as officially missing.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said his body was found on Thursday, and next of kin had been informed.

"The Gambian police have made one arrest in connection with their investigation. The arrest is of his wife," she said.