Two Burmese workers have confessed to killing British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on a Thai holiday island, police have said.

Ms Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found near to where they were staying on the island of Koh Tao, on September 15.

Major General Kiattipong Khawsamang said two of three Burmese workers questioned by police had admitted murdering the couple. He said the other man denied involvement.

Police have previously said they believe three people were involved in the attacks.

The island has a large community of migrants workers from nearby Burma, also known as Myanmar. Police have been under pressure from the government to solve the case as Thai authorities warned the killings would damage the country's tourist industry.

Earlier this week police said two suspects raped and killed Ms Witheridge while another witnessed the murder.

In pictures: Thailand beach murders Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Thailand beach murders In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders Two Myanmar migrant workers Win (left) and Saw (right) are suspects in the killing of two British tourists EPA In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders Two Myanmar migrant workers suspected of killing two British tourists participate in a crime re-enactment EPA In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders The two suspects (wearing hard hats) during a re-enactment of the alleged crime Reuters In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders Thai policemen conduct DNA tests on staff from two beachside bars as part of the investigation on the murder of two British tourists on the southern resort island of Koh Tao In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders Police chiefs look at a beach near the spot where bodies of two killed British tourists were found on the island of Koh Tao Getty Images In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders Police in Koh Tao said they were liaising with officers in Bangkok to try and detain the second man EPA In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders People of Koh Tao offer their prayers In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders A Thai villager lays flowers during a memorial service for two murdered British tourists at the crime scene on a beach of Koh Tao resort island EPA In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders A police searches for clues near the spot where bodies of two killed British tourists were found, on the island of Koh Tao In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders Thai workers carry the bodies of two British tourists on Koh Tao island in the Surat Thani province of southern Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders Hannah Witheridge, 23 was killed on the small island of Koh Tao on 15 Septembe In pictures: Thailand beach murders Thailand beach murders David Miller, 24, was killed on the small island of Koh Tao on 15 September

Last week the Royal Thai Police said they were "confident" of making a breakthrough in the case after coming under fire for their handling of the investigation.

Officers have collected 200 DNA samples from people on the island after tests carried out on Ms Witheridge’s body revealed traces of semen from two different men.

Lieutenant General Jaktip Chaijinda said police will wait for the results of DNA tests from the suspects to see if they match the samples. Those DNA results are expected by tomorrow at the latest, according to reports.

Mr Miller's father Ian has said he believes his son stepped in to help Ms Witheridge.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died from head wounds, while Mr Miller, from Jersey, was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning.

Around 150 police officers have been posted to Koh Tao as part of the murder investigation.