A British couple found dead near their home in the Caribbean are thought to have been murdered, police said.

The bodies of grandparents Charlie and Gayle Anderson, aged 74 and 71, were found “partially burned” with wounds to the neck and face in Jamaica, local media reported.

They were said to have been found at separate locations near their home in Mount Pleasant, a rural community in the north-east of the island.

Deputy superintendent of police, Throyville Haughton, told Jamaican newspaper The Sunday Gleaner that Mr Anderson’s body was discovered first by residents. "Shortly after, the body of the elderly woman was found at a different location with burns to the body also,” he added.

“Both bodies had wounds to the neck and face. However, we are not yet able to say what might have caused those injuries.”

The “hugely popular” couple had recently retired and moved to the Caribbean from Manchester.

Preliminary police investigations suggested the couple had recently been defrauded of eight million Jamaican dollars (£46,000) via credit cards scams and had reported the matter to police, local media said.

Charlie and Gayle Anderson, who were found dead at their home in Jamaica (PA)

Between last August and May of this year, 45 credit card transactions were reportedly made at hardware stores and supermarkets without their knowledge, according to a family member.

Police have not yet given a suspected motive for the killing.

In a statement, the couple’s sons said they were “completely devastated” by news of their deaths.

They said: “Our parents Charlie and Gayle enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 55 years and leave behind their four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

"They were hardworking people, building a business with integrity and making sure we were always provided for.

"Charlie and Gayle were pillars of the community in Manchester and Jamaica, and were hugely popular and loved by many.

"They were just beginning the next chapter of their lives, retiring to Jamaica before this terrible tragedy.

"We would like to thank our friends, family and community for their prayers and support.

"We are completely devastated and ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time."

Police have appealed to the public for any information on the murders.

“We are making every effort to bring closure to this heinous crime,” Mr Haughton said on Sunday. “Our detectives are still in the area carrying out investigations.”