Their carer and her boyfriend, both Romanian nationals, have been arrested.

Guardia Civil officers say the carer had been looking after the couple at nights for two months, but did not live with them, and they had a second carer for the daytime.

She was found tied up and gagged along with the gentleman, Vicente Almela, aged 90, who is thought to have suffered a heart attack or similar due to the shock and passed away.

His wife, aged 87, suffered multiple bruising and two broken ribs in the struggle and her angina was aggravated by the trauma.

After the arrest of the night carer and her boyfriend, police are looking for a third person since it is believed that at least two men entered the house at around 02.00hrs on Sunday.

Officers could not get an answer at the door when they called at the house, and after climbing in through the balcony, found the couple and the carer tied to beds and gagged.

Mayor of the Vall d'Uixò, Óscar Clavell, says the couple are very well-known and much-loved in the village and Vicente will be sorely missed.

Three days of mourning were held between Monday and today and the funeral took place yesterday.

Vicente was an active member of the community who helped support and organise sporting and cultural activities, including being one of the founders of the local Valencia FC fan club.

Photograph: Vall d'Uixò village in the valley of the same name