A elderly couple were found dead in their home in Medway last night.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are investigating after the bodies of the pensioners, who were both in their 80s, were found at a home in Blaker Avenue, Rochester.

It is understood the couple, who have lived in the street for many years and have been named locally as George and Betty Lyons, were married and used to be seen together walking hand-in-hand.

One neighbour who didn't want to be named, said: "I am in shock. They were a lovely couple and used to hold hands when they went out together.

"I understand she had been ill for some time and he has been trying to cope with that.

"I am sure she went into a home at some point."

Another neighbour, a woman who also didn't want to be named, said: "I saw the police here last night, but didn't know what they were here for.

"There was a police car parked at the beginning of the street and an another car up the other end of cul-de-sac and an ambulance, but I never realised why they were there."

By the time the news broke this morning, the police had left the quiet residential street.

One man who was saddened by the news but didn't want to be named, said: "She had been ill suffering from dementia and he was trying to cope with that.

"I'm just shocked by the whole thing. It is very sad they have died."

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths and that it was expected post mortems would be carried out on the couple later this week.

Vicki Foster, spokesman for Kent Police, said:"Officers were called to the scene, in Blaker Avenue, at 6.30pm and the bodies of an 88-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman were located.

"The two individuals were known to each other.

"The deaths are being treated as suspicious however officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths."