TWO people found dead in their Bewsey home were not discovered for more than six weeks after their deaths, an inquest heard.

Neighbours of Jennifer Melia and her step father and carer Michael Deakin called police on March 30 this year to Gerard Avenue after one woman claimed she had not seen them for eight weeks.

Officers forced their way into the property and found Miss Melia, 41, unclothed on the couch in the living room and Mr Deakin, 53, unclothed in a bed upstairs.

The inquest heard both of them suffered ill health and when officers entered the house it was 'extremely hot' as the fire had been left on at full level.

A search of the property found milk in the fridge with a February expiration date and Miss Melia had stopped crossing dates off in her diary on February 12.

Neighbours described the pair as 'keeping themselves to themselves' and said Mr Deakin, who was widowed, had once told them if anything happened to Miss Melia he would 'kill himself'.

A statement from a neighbour added they first thought they had gone on holiday and had noticed there had been nothing in their recycling bin for a few weeks.

Miss Melia, who was disabled and used a wheelchair, had progressive muscle wasting condition myotonic dystrophy and lived downstairs.

Her family described the news as a 'shock' and said she was a 'pleasant girl'.

Mr Deakin's step father Tony said he had last seen the pair when he took them shopping in February and described them as 'upbeat' and talking about going on holiday in America.

Officers said there was no evidence anyone had broken in and carbon monoxide levels were normal.

An investigation was initially launched by police to establish whether there were any suspicious circumstances around their deaths.

A post mortem carried out by expert Home Office pathologists confirmed both had been dead for some time but neither had any other significant injuries.

Abnormalities with Miss Melia's pacemaker around February 20 or 21 led to the conclusion her cause of death was myotonic dystrophy which had affected her heart and lungs.

It was also concluded Mr Deakin had died of a number of health conditions as well as terminal hypothermia.

DC Ian Morris said there was no suggestion they had caused harm to each other.

He added: "The post mortem also appears to have ruled out the suggestion Mr Deakin took his own life.

"We checked with taxi services where they were regular customers and their last appointment was February 12.

"We think Jennifer started feeling unwell around this date and stopped her usual routine crossing off dates in her diary before she had difficulties with her heart a week later."

Coroner Janet Napier added: "It's amazing they both died at the same time and if you read it in a book you wouldn't believe it.

"They seemed to be terribly devoted and it must have been an awful shock."