Britons Held In Spain After Man's Stab Death

Four Britons are being held after a British man was allegedly stabbed to death with a broken bottle in Spain.

The attack is said to have happened in the early hours of Saturday morning in Villamartin Plaza, an area popular with expats in Orihuela Costa, south of Alicante.

The dead man received several cuts to the neck and chest during a fight at around 2am, according to Spanish newspaper La Verdad.

The altercation started in a bar popular with British expats, the newspaper added.

The suspects are said to have been arrested after driving away from the scene with the car headlights off, Informacion newspaper said.

They reportedly include two men, aged 43 and 26, and a 39-year-old woman.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Alicante, Spain, on 16 January.

"We are in contact with the local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

On the arrests, she added: "We can confirm the detention of four British nationals in Alicante, Spain on January 16. We stand ready to offer consular assistance."

One restaurant owner said the incident had left him feeling afraid.

He said: "I am a little bit afraid and angry - it is scary, it is foolish and I do not like that. I have been here for three years and we have never had trouble - it is a nice place."