POLICE say it could be weeks before they discover how a devoted couple died at the home they shared on a remote turkey farm in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire police are working with the Health and Safety Executive and forensic experts as part of on extensive investigation into the deaths after the bodies were discovered at the bungalow at Islebeck Farm, near Dalton last week.

News of their deaths, which has shocked the local community, was not released until Monday morning.

After their bodies were discovered police sealed off the area surrounding their home.

It is understood the bodies were found in separate rooms when police officers made their way into the bungalow.

A police spokesman said they were not in a position to officially identify the couple, but they have been named locally as Andrew and Jenny Robinson, who were both in their early 50s.

The spokesman added: “North Yorkshire Police were called to a property at Islebeck near Thirsk at 8.20am on Wednesday, February 1, after concerns were raised for the occupants.

“When officers arrived at the scene, sadly they found the bodies of a man and a woman.

"An investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances of their deaths which are being treated as unexplained at this time.

"At this stage we are not in a position to release their identity as formal identification tests are still being conducted. Searches have been carried out at the property including a forensic examination of the scene and further searches are due to be carried out in due course.  We have also worked with the Health and Safety Executive who are compiling a report for our investigation.

"Enquiries are ongoing which include post mortem tests, the results of which will not be known for several weeks."

The couple were said to be “totally devoted” to each other by friends and neighbours in Dalton where they had lived for many years and were well known in the community.

Mr Robinson who grew up and went to school in the area had worked as a youth leader for several years.

One friend said Jenny Robinson had been seriously ill recently, which had devastated the pair.

Another friend added: “They were a lovely couple and really enjoyed life, he was a youth leader and a lot of people in the village remembered him from that.

“This has been a real shock to the community and a lot of people in this area, they were well known and well liked. There have been a lot of rumours going round, and we understand it is going to take time to find out what happened.”

Islebeck Farm, is a turkey farm owned by Cranberry Foods, which has a base in the Dalton area.

No one could be contacted from the company.

It is understood the couple had a daughter and two sons from previous relationships.