THE death of a devoted couple at their North-East home is being investigated by police.

John Stanley Berry, 72, and his wheelchair-bound wife Muriel Reid, 69, were found by neighbours on Monday at their home in Prudhoe Court, Fawdon, Newcastle, after they noticed post piling up.

Detectives are not treating the deaths as suspicious. A post-mortem examination established that Mr Berry died of natural causes.

However, an examination on Ms Reid was inconclusive and further tests will be carried out.

It is thought that British Gas is preparing to rule out the theory that Ms Reid might have been overcome by carbon monoxide fumes.

Neighbours believe Mr Berry, who was his wife's carer, may have died suddenly, and she may have been unable to look after herself or even raise the alarm.