POLICE say post mortems confirm that there was no third party involvement in the deaths of an elderly couple.

Retired miner James “Jim” Stokoe and wife May, both 79, were found dead in the bedroom of their home in Hylton Castle Road, Sunderland, on Wednesday afternoon. 

Northumbria Police said the examinations confirmed their belief that no-one else was involved in their deaths.

A force spokesman said: “Post mortem examination results have confirmed that there has been no third party involvement. .

”No further details will be released by police in relation to the deaths and officers will now prepare a report for the coroner.”