A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a British former Olympic diver and his wife at their villa in Spain.

Peter and Jean Tarsey, both 77, were discovered dead at their home in Xaló, near Benidorm in eastern Spain, in March. A Guardia Civil spokesman confirmed on Friday that the arrest had been made on Thursday in connection with the killings.

He said: “A Moroccan man has been arrested but we are not authorised to give out any other details because the judge has placed a temporary gag order on proceedings.

“Everything indicates that this man was the author of the crime and he will give a statement before the judge tomorrow, at which time we should be able to give out more details.”

The spokesman said he could not confirm reports that the arrested man is a drug dealer and that officers had found a gun.

Tarsey competed for Great Britain at the Melbourne Summer Olympics in 1956 and for England at two Commonwealth Games.

The couple had been living in Spain for about 20 years but are thought to have originally been from west London.

Xaló, a small village of about 2,700 people, is about 25 miles (40km) north-west of Benidorm.