Two Burmese immigrant workers have confessed to killing two British tourists - including Hemsby student Hannah Witheridge - Thai police have said.

Officers investigating the murders of the 23-year-old and fellow traveller David Miller, 24, said two of three Burmese workers questioned by police had admitted killing the pair.

Major General Kiattipong Khawsamang said the other man denied involvement.

The officer said police were still interrogating the suspects.

'So far, accounts from the two men matched and they confessed they killed the tourists,' he said.

The bodies of Miss Witheridge, a UEA graduate, and Mr Miller were found on the Thai island of Koh Tao on September 15.

The inquest into Miss Witheridge's death opened in Norwich yesterday and revealed she died from 'severe head wounds'.

Last week the Royal Thai Police said they were 'confident' of making a significant breakthrough in the case after coming under fire for their handling of the investigation.

Officers have collected 200 DNA samples from people on the island.

Lieutenant General Jaktip Chaijinda said police will wait for the results of DNA tests from the suspects to see if they match the samples.

Those DNA results are expected by tomorrow at the latest, according to reports.

Thai police said a reward of 700,000 baht - roughly £13,300 - was being offered for information leading to the arrests of the killers.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend Miss Witheridge's funeral at Hemsby's St Mary's Church next week.

The popular and well-known student has been described by her family as a 'beautiful, intelligent, loving young woman'.