A man has been taken into custody as part of an investigation into the deaths of a retired British couple in Jamaica, police said.

Grandparents Charlie and Gayle Anderson, aged 74 and 71, were found dead in their home in Portland at about 1.30pm on Saturday.

In a statement released on Twitter, the Jamaica Constabulary Force said: “The Police High Command has expressed regret at the recent killing of a retired couple in Portland and is giving their commitment that the top level investigation will continue with alacrity and the highest level of professionalism.

The statement added that a man had been taken into custody as detectives from the Criminal Investigation Branch “intensify the investigation” into the death of the retired couple, who moved to Jamaica from Manchester in the UK. 

“The man, who is considered a person of interest in the matter, was picked up on Saturday afternoon at a business establishment in Kingston,” the police said. 

A statement from the couple’s sons released via the Foreign Office 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.”

Former neighbour Kishore Singh, who lives on High Bank in Manchester, said “they were two of the most beautiful people in the world. Charlie was like a father to me”.

The 51-year-old said the Andersons moved to Jamaica for good around 12 months ago having lived in Manchester for decades, but had been back in the UK recently after falling victim to credit card fraud.