Brit arrested for burning dead wife

A BRITISH man has been arrested in Brittany, suspected of burning his wife's dead body and burying the ashes in cement.

Prosecutors have refused to name the man, but British newspapers say he has been identified locally as Robert Hall, who moved to the Ille-et-Vilaine from Manchester 12 years ago.

The 55-year-old ran a guest house with his wife Joanna, 49, in Le Châtellier, near Fougères.

According to local newspaper Le Télégramme, the couple were building a gite on their land and had run into financial difficulties.

Rennes deputy prosecutor Catherine Denis said the couple appeared to have had "a drunken argument" on Friday night.

She said the woman fell to the ground and the death appeared to be accidental.

Ms Denis said the man had admitted burning the body and burying the ashes. She said he was co-operating with police.

The couple's children alerted police on Saturday afternoon after Mr Hall called them to tell them of the death. Police are still searching the home.