A MURDER-STYLE investigation was under way last night after the bodies of a married couple were found at their North-East home.

Derek and Margaret Wood were discovered at their terraced house in Stephenson Street, Darlington.

Mrs Wood, who was in her early 50s, was found in the kitchen and her 60-year-old husband in the back yard.

Detectives believe he may have fallen from the attic window.

Concerned relatives contacted police just after 10pm on Thursday. When officers called they could get no answer and forced their way into the property at about midnight.

Sources said the couple could have been dead for up to 24 hours.

Scene of crime officers and forensic experts have begun a detailed examination of the property.

Post-mortem examinations took place yesterday at Darlington's Memorial Hospital.

Detective Superintendent David Jones, who is leading the investigation, said he was keeping an open mind about how the couple died.

The deaths have stunned friends and neighbours who described them as a happy couple.

Family friend Rose Brown, of Stephenson Street, said: "They were a good family and would go out of their way to help other people.

"We are all shocked and cannot believe it. We are dumbfounded about what has happened."

Mrs Brown said Mr Wood had grown up in the street and lived there all his life.

He worked as a cable winder at the Whessoe steel plant, in Darlington, before it closed.

It is understood the couple have three grown-up children and two grandchildren.

Mrs Brown added: "They were looking forward to the birth of their next grandchild.

"They were good friends of mine. I last saw them in Morrisons on Wednesday and they seemed all right.

"They had both been shopping and were both in fine fettle."

Mr and Mrs Wood were regulars at the nearby social club on Northgate and grew leeks at their nearby allotment.

Anthony Creegan, 46, who lives around the corner in Arthur Street, said Mr Wood used to help neighbours by doing odd jobs for them.

He said: "He kept himself to himself but he would do anything for anyone. He seemed a really nice fella. You don't expect anything like this to happen at all. It is quite frightening."

Next-door neighbour Anthony Dunn said the Woods welcomed his family to the street when they moved in two months ago.

He said: "They used to go out together a couple of times a week and seemed like a close family.

"It has come as a big shock. I can't believe that it has happened."

Another neighbour said: "He was a canny lad and I was brought up with him.

"I passed him in the street the other day and he didn't say anything so he must have been in a bad way. We don't know what has happened."

Police would not speculate last night on how the couple died.

The results of the post-mortem examinations are expected to be released today.