Three 'held over killing of British tourists in Thailand'

Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on the beach close to bungalows where they had been staying

Three Burmese men have been questioned over the killing of two Britons, in Thailand, according to local reports.

One man has confessed to the killings, according a report on the website of Thai newspaper The Nation, which quoted police.

Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found dead on a beach on the island of Koh Tao, a popular tourist destination, on 15 September.

A reward was offered of around £13,000 for information leading to arrests.

Koh Tao is a popular destination for tourists

More than 100 officers are involved in the investigation and have been collecting evidence and taking DNA samples from those working on Koh Tao.

A post-mortem examination found that Mr Miller, from Jersey, was killed by severe blows to the head and drowning.

An inquest opened in Norwich earlier this week heard Ms Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died on the beach from "severe head injuries".

The brief hearing was told the student from the University of Essex had been identified using DNA samples taken from her parents and Thai authorities had requested the pathologist's report.

A full inquest will take place on 6 January.

An earlier report from the Associated Press said police had claimed two of the suspects had confessed, but the BBC has been unable to verify that report.

Mr Miller's funeral is due to take place this Friday. In advance of the service, his family asked for privacy on the day of the memorial service.

A statement, from Ian, Sue and Michael Miller, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of support provided to us by so many here in Jersey and also by people far away.

"We were also particularly touched by the vigil and prayers held by good people on Koh Tao."

Mr Miller's family said they had been particularly touched by vigils held by people on Koh Tao

Ms Witheridge's family said in a statement last month: "Our family is broken and require time to grieve in private - as do Hannah's many friends."

Her housemate Lucy Dunkley paid tribute to her, saying: "She was just one of those beautiful, bubbly people, amazing on the inside and out. She was just a brilliant person and she is just irreplaceable."