A retired GP died from a gunshot wound and his wife died from chemical poisoning, an inquest has heard.

Brian and Dilys Richards, who were in their 90s, were found dead at their home in The Butchery, Sandwich, last month.

Opening an inquest into their deaths this morning, Sarah Clarke, area coroner for North East Kent, said: "The circumstances were that on the morning of July 8, police were called when a carer arrived at the property and found Mrs Richards dead on her bed."

Paramedics also attended and authorities at the scene wore protective clothing because of potential toxic gases.

Ms Clarke added: "Police found Mr Richards with a gun underneath him and he had reportedly shot himself in the head."

A postmortem examination later confirmed he had died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Tests showed that Mrs Richards' cause of death was consistent with potassium cyanide toxicity.

Mr Richards, 93, and Mrs Richards, 91, a retired physiotherapist, had been married since 1952 and lived at The Butchery since 1984.

The inquest opening at Oakwood House, Maidstone, was adjourned until a full inquest on October 28.

Police set up a cordon in Sandwich for two days last month after the two bodies were discovered.

The small street was closed off and multiple police vehicles filled the surrounding roads while officers carried out inquiries.

A police spokesman confirmed at the time: “Kent Police was called to a property in Sandwich town centre shortly after 10am on July 8 following concerns for two people.

“Officers attended and two people in their 90s were pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The deaths are not being treated as suspicious.”

At the time, residents were left in shock and disbelief by the tragic news.

Dan Friend, a district councillor for the town, said: “There is confusion among people here and also sadness for the families of the two victims.

“People have been surprised that there has been such a huge police presence but they just don’t know what exactly has happened.”