British man arrested for murder in Portugal’s Algarve after partner's body found in concrete

Police found woman's body after breaking through concrete in the couple's garden with pick-axes and drills

Praia da Marinha, a popular beach in Algarve

Portuguese police have arrested a British man for murder after his partner’s body was found buried in concrete at the couple’s home in the Algarve.

Officers discovered the body of Brenda Davidson on Tuesday night after breaking through poured concrete with pick axes and pneumatic drills, the Portugal Resident newspaper reports.

The arrested man is reportedly 59-year-old Nigel Jackson.

A spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office said: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national on 7 January on the Algarve in Portugal. We are providing consular assistance."

Regarding Ms Davidson, the FCO spokesperson added: "We can confirm there was a British national reported as missing in the Algarve in Portugal since December 2014. "We are providing the family with consular assistance."

Ms Davidson is said to have gone missing in November; the Portugese Resident reports that her partner allegedly told neighbours that she had gone to the UK for treatment for a “nasty cough”.

According to the Daily Express newspaper Mr Jackson now says his partner committed suicide but that he buried her body.