A retired British couple found dead at their home in Jamaica were “hugely popular and loved by many”, family have said.

Police are treating the deaths of grandparents Charlie and Gayle Anderson, aged 74 and 71, as suspected murders.

The couple, married for more than half a century, had recently retired to Mount Pleasant on the Caribbean island after living in Manchester.

A statement from their sons released by 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 Mr Anderson had been building a house in Jamaica and had been going back and forth over the past few years.

Charlie and Gayle Anderson on their wedding day
The couple on their wedding day (FCO)

He went on: “He would tell me ‘I’m going home, I’ve worked in this country and now I want to go home and retire and enjoy my last few years’.

“He would tell me how the house building was going with so much pride in his face. We’d stand outside talking for hours.

“When I found out what happened I couldn’t accept it. Not Charlie.”

Mr Anderson, a builder, gave up his free time to help Mr Singh renovate his house when he moved in around 12 years ago.

He said: “He would come round every morning and show me what to do, and again at 4pm after he had finished work, he didn’t ask for a penny. I can’t big him up enough, he made time for everyone.

“And when we moved in Gayle was over straight away with housewarming presents and gifts.”

Mr Singh said the Andersons moved out 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.

Mr and Mrs Anderson were found dead on Friday, according to local media reports. The Foreign Office would not confirm when they were discovered.

The family statement added: “They were just beginning the next chapter of their lives, retiring to Jamaica before this terrible tragedy.

“We are completely devastated and ask for privacy at this extremely difficult time.”