A man who flew to Gambia to search for his missing friend said he felt "a cold emptiness" when the pensioner's wife was charged with murder.

David Jenkins went to the African country to look for William West, 76, from St Helen's Park, Hastings, who disappeared three weeks ago.

Mr West's charred remains were found last week in a sack near his beachfront holiday home in the fishing village of Sanyang.

His Ghanaian-born wife Kate, 26, who married Mr West after they met six years ago when he visited Gambia, has been charged with his murder.

Mr Jenkins, who flew to Gambia with Mrs West, said his friend had been a happier man since marrying his second wife. His first wife, Doris, died in 1994.

He added he did not feel angry when Mrs West was charged. "It was a cold emptiness."

Gambia police are continuing to question Mrs West in the capital Banjul.

Officers were told Dublin-born Mr West disappeared while buying cigars on a day trip to Senegal with his wife.

Mrs West was charged with his murder after she led officers to the body.

British forensic experts have offered their help in identifying the body of the wealthy pensioner.

Aziz Bojang, Gambia police assistant superintendent, said: "We are definitely going to be accepting that offer because we don't have their level of expertise.

"We are looking at the case from the point when Mr West was burnt to establish what happened. We are looking at the possibility that Mr West was murdered and that burning was a means of disposal."

Mr Bojang said statements have been taken from several people, including security guards at Mr West's property.

It emerged Mr West's second wife was a beneficiary in her husband's will and in line to inherit the Gambian property.

Mr Bojang said Mrs West has told officers five Nigerian men took her husband from the house and killed him.