POLICE are investigating if fumes from a barbecue killed a North-East council worker and left his wife fighting for her life.

Tests for carbon monoxide poisoning will be carried out on the body of 45-year-old Chris Bainbridge, which was discovered in a wooden camping pod in the Lake District on Monday afternoon.

Mr Bainbridge’s wife, Jane, was found unconscious beside him.

The 42-year-old was rushed to hospital where she remained in a serious condition last night.

One theory being investigated by police is that the couple were overcome by fumes after cooking food on a barbecue.

The pair set off from their home in the Whinfield Road area of Darlington on Friday, telling friends they would be staying in a wooden camping pod for two nights before returning on Sunday.

The couple were found by staff at The Quiet Site holiday park, in Watermillock, near Penrith, on Monday afternoon after concerns were raised in Darlington when they failed to return home.

The Quiet Site owner Daniel Holder said: “Staff talked to them when they arrived and said they seemed like a lovely couple here for a short weekend break.

“Our thoughts are with their family at this time. It appears to have been a tragic accident – it looks like it was carbon monoxide poisoning although we won’t know for sure until the post-mortem examination.”

Mr Holder said he and staff had been interviewed and were helping Cumbria Police with their inquiries.

Management information officer Mr Bainbridge had worked for Darlington Borough Council for 27 years.

Friends said was keen five-aside footballer.

Mrs Bainbridge, 42, works for Three Rivers Housing Association.

Cumbria Police said officers were called to the site at 4.37pm on Monday.

A spokesman added: “Tragically, a man believed to be in his 40s from the North-East was found dead at the site.

“A 42-year-old woman was taken to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, where she remains in a serious condition today.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.”

The Quiet Site describes its pods as an insulated timber hut “designed to be used just like a tent but ready to move in”.

The pods, which cost between £35 and £50 a night, are designed to “accommodate the variable British weather with ample ventilation for the hot days and lamb’s wool insulation for those chillier times”.

Michael Axe, acting chief executive of Four Housing Group, the parent company of Three Rivers, said: “We are still waiting for full details about the tragic incident involving one of our employees and her husband.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Jane and her family and we wish her a full and speedy recovery.”