The girlfriend of Hong Kong-based British university teacher Hilary St John Bower, who was found dead in China, has been arrested alongside two men on suspicion of murder.

Officers in the southern city of Shenzhen said the 38-year-old woman, identified by her surname Xu, was arrested on suspicion of killing the 60-year-old, her boyfriend of 17 years, over a relationship dispute.

The statement said two men aged 28 and 23, thought to have assisted Xu, and were arrested with her on April 8.

The British embassy in Beijing said it was supporting the family of a British national who had died in southern China and was in close contact with local investigators.

English language teacher Mr Bower had worked at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) since 1996 and was due to retire later this year.

Mr Bower vanished on March 22 after he travelled to Shenzhen, where he lived with his girlfriend and six-year-old son.

His girlfriend had reported him missing to Hong Kong police on March 30 but mainland authorities believe he had been killed on March 22.