A British man has died in Tenerife, the Foreign Office said, in what may have been a bungled robbery.

Peter Cockshutt was found dead in a villa on the island on Monday, and according to reports he had been stabbed.

Officers believe he may have been killed as thieves tried to burgle his house, a source said.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Tenerife, Spain, on February 8 2010. Consular staff are contacting the next of kin and will offer consular assistance.

"Local police are investigating."