A British pensioner has died just a few weeks before he would have been able to reclaim his "dream home" after his years-long battle with squatters ended.

Kenneth Jobe died from cancer shortly before Spanish authorities were due to carry out an eviction notice on those living in his home.

The 84-year-old had allegedly lost more than €50,000 (£43,670) in rent on his three-bedroom property in Mijas, a municipality on the south coast of Spain.

A British family who allegedly owed Mr Jobe more than six years of rent vacated the property just before local authorities arrived to carry out a court-ordered eviction on Thursday.

However, Mr Jobe had already died, having been diagnosed with cancer over the summer.

His son told the Spanish Eye: "We've got the property back, but after all this time and with no rent paid, it's absolutely disgusting."

He added: "We're going to renovate the property then we are just going to get rid of it and sell it, we don't want the bad memories."

According to his previous statements to the newspaper, the squatters had delayed their eviction by claiming to be "vulnerable".

Kenneth Jobe's house was in the municipality of Mijas (pictured)

In September, however, this was thrown out by the courts but by that point it was too late for Mr Jobe.

Sharing his anger, the son said: "It's disgusting, my dad got diagnosed with cancer... and he can't even go to his own house in Spain.

"It's breathtaking, it literally takes your breath away at how these people can do this, my dad just wants to live out there.

"The system is broken, especially for expats, if you're Spanish it moves along a lot quicker."

Spanish authorities advise Britons who are planning to leave their home in Spain empty for a period of time to install security cameras and an alarm system.

If squatters are caught breaking in on CCTV, and the police are notified of an alarm immediately, a much stronger case can be made for immediate eviction.

In April this year, Spain introduced new rules to expedite the eviction process for squatters.

Under the country's new fast-track trial system, police can sometimes remove occupants within 48 hours if the occupation is reported quickly and ownership is proven, or within 72 hours to 15 days via a court order.

Official data from the Spanish Government in late 2022 showed that nearly 300,000 Britons lived in Spain.

Good weather, a lower cost of living, and higher quality of life are among the reasons expats move to the Mediterranean country.