POLICE are investigating the “unexplained” deaths of two pensioners who were found in separate rooms of their bungalow.

Neighbours in Eastwood Road North, Leigh, told how the couple had not been seen for several days.

They are both believed to be in their 70s.

Police, ambulance crews and fire engines were called to the home at about 6.30pm on Tuesday after concerned residents raised the alarm.

Forensics officers spent the night and yesterday morning at the bungalow, and were also seen examining the garden.

Paul Hicks, owner of Hicks Family Butchers, in Eastwood Road North, said: “My next door neighbour keeps an eye on them. She hadn’t seen them and thought it was worrying.

“She went to get a friend and they went round there. They found John dead in the living room with cushions around him.

“They called out for Ann but there was no answer so they left and called the police. She was found in a different room.

“It’s a real tragedy, they were a lovely couple. I have known them for 30 years.”

Neighbour Barry Adams, 63, said he suspected there had been a carbon monoxide leak in the bungalow.

He said: “I’m a heating engineer and my first thought at seeing the hazardous materials vehicles was it was carbon monoxide poisoning.

“The forensic people were in there for half the night looking around. If they don’t know what’s happened they have to look at everything.

“The police came to ask questions and it seemed as if it wasn’t suspicious circumstances, it was just unexplained.”

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, told of her shock as up to 15 emergency vehicles surrounded the home.

She said: “I saw a lot of commotion.

“The police were asking when was the last time I had seen them but I didn’t see them regularly anyway.

“I think they used to go out for lunch in their car.”

Amer Bhandary, owner of Belfairs News, in Eastwood Road North, said rumours had been circulating about the shock deaths.

He said: “We saw the police cars and ambulance and everybody running around.

“The police went to the house and then ran back to their car and got something out of the boot.

“Noone came here to tell us anything.

“A lot of people were saying they had been murdered. But God bless them whatever happened.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were called to an address in Eastwood Road North to concerns for the welfare of an elderly couple inside.

“Officers attended and found the bodies of a man and a woman.

“They were both sadly declared dead at the scene.

“The deaths are being treated as unexplained and police investigations are ongoing.

“The next of kin have been informed.”

When asked whether the deaths were being treated as murder, he added: “It is currently unexplained. We need to wait for the post mortem.”

A post-mortem is expected to take place tomorrow.

A fire service spokesman said he could not comment due to the police investigation, adding: “We can confirm we attended.”