Police hunting the killer of a British woman who was shot during a bungled robbery in South Africa have arrested three people.

Diane Conway, from Warminster, Wiltshire, was on holiday with her husband Jon in Pilgrim's Rest near the Kruger National Park, when the attack happened.

The 55-year-old retired army major was seriously injured when three shots were fired after the couple were ambushed at the town's Royal Hotel.

Police believe the killer followed the couple to their room at 1945 local time, after they had finished a dinner in the hotel.

'Absolutely devastated'

When Mr Conway refused to hand over money, the attacker shot his 59-year-old wife through the heart and she died at the scene.

On Thursday, Mr Conway who was hit in the neck and face, was said to be "improving" in Nelspruit Hospital, in Mpumalanga province.

Superintendent Dani Hall said Mr Conway was "absolutely devastated" by his wife's death.

Detectives have another 48 hours to question the chief suspect - a man who is described as being in his early 20s.

Police have also recovered credit cards belonging to Mrs Conway in a township nearby.

The couple's son and daughter, Justin and Karen, have flown to Nelspruit, 81 miles north-east of Johannesburg, to be with their father.