Police searching for a missing pensioner have arrested his 26-year-old wife after a body was found in Gambia.

The body is believed to be that of William West, 76, of St Helen's Park Road, Hastings.

He had been on holiday with his wife, Kate, in the Gambia when he disappeared on July 3 but she did not report him missing until two days later after she had returned to Britain.

Mrs West said the couple were on a day trip to Senegal when Mr West went to buy some cigars from a shop. She said she waited for him but he never returned.

She then caught the return flight home to Gatwick on July 4, and reported her husband missing to Sussex Police on July 5.

An international search involving Sussex Police, Interpol and Senegal and Gambia police began.

Last week Mrs West returned to the Gambia with a family friend, Hastings man David Jenkins, to help in the search and officially record his disappearance.

Yesterday, Gambian Police confirmed they had found a body which they believe may be Mr West and they had arrested Mrs West.

They also confirmed three men were assisting them in their inquiries.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are aware of the disappearance and possible death of a British national.

"The Gambian police informed us a body was found which they believe may be Mr West.

"Formal identification will be carried out and we await the results.

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

According to the spokeswoman Mrs West is Irish, and met Mr West six years ago while he was on holiday in West Africa.

Mr West has a niece in the Hastings area and a brother in Ireland.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said Gambian police authorities had been in touch with officers from Hastings after a man's body was found.

She said: "This is not our investigation and the African police are sending through information when they receive it.

"As far as we know they have not identified the body yet."