A British man has been killed and his wife kidnapped from a Kenyan resort, BBC repored, citing Kenyan police.

The married couple were staying at the luxury Kiwayu Safari Village, north of Lamu Island, when armed men attacked.

Kenyan officials said a policeman saw six men taking away a woman in a boat.

A source said Islamist group al-Shabab could be involved. Tourist resort have not been targeted before but the site is near Somalia and Somali pirates could be involved, a BBC reporter says.

The website for Kiwayu Safari Village says it has "organic security protocols as well as a professional security structure which provides us with overarching security and safety 24 hours a day."

It adds: "Our relationship with the local community, its fishermen and the local authorities is positive and mutually beneficial. We regularly review our security and safety to ensure it is both comprehensive and current."

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said the couple arrived at the resort on Saturday after visiting Kenya's Masai Mara reserve and were the resort's only guests.

The Foreign Office, which did not release the names of the couple, called for the immediate release of the woman.