MEXICAN authorities confirmed the discovery of the bodies of three film students kidnapped almost a month ago.

Jalisco state prosecutor Raul Sanchez said that Javier Salomon Aceves Gastelum, Daniel Diaz and Marco Avalos had been killed by members of criminal gang the New Generation Jalisco Cartel.

Their bodies had been buried and doused with acid to make them unrecognisable.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the murders. Police are seeking a further eight suspects.

The students were snatched on March 19 when they were filming near Guadalajara. Governor of Jalisco Aristoteles Sandoval offered a million-peso (£38,000) reward for their return.

Late on Monday authorities announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of veteran journalist Javier Valdez, who was killed last May.

The country has seen a sharp rise in attacks on journalists: 17 were killed in 2017.

The government has been criticised by rights organisations and journalists’ unions for failures in its investigations into the deaths.