Couple Jean and Peter Tardsey
British diving champion Peter David Tarsey (1937 - 2015) with his fiancee Jean Biggs, UK, 26 February 1960. The two were married the next day in Southall. Tarsey had competed for England in the 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics. Getty

A man who was shot dead alongside his wife in Alicante is believed to be a former Olympic diver.

Peter Tarsey, 77, who was reportedly found dead with his wife Jean, also 77, on a sofa in their villa, represented Great Britain in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. He also competed in two Commonwealth Games in 1954 and 1958.

According to reports on Sky News, the pair was discovered lying beside each other locked in each other's arms.

Spanish Police said their deaths are being treated as murder but post mortem examinations are still due to be carried out. They were both shot by a small calibre gun but there was no sign of a break-in.

The Guardia Civil spokesman said: "A retired British couple both aged 77 were found dead in their home at 4.15pm on Sunday. They were found by friends who had not heard from them for several days."

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We can confirm the death of two British nationals in Alicante, Spain. We stand ready to provide consular assistance."

The couple had been living in Xalo near Benidorm along the Costa Blanca since 1997.