Two North-East potholers were found dead yesterday - suspended by ropes halfway up an underground waterfall.

The bodies of Ray Lea, 58, and Julian Carroll, 29, were discovered in a cavern on the North Yorkshire-Lancashire border, after they were reported missing by family.

Rescuers said last night that the pair died of suspected hypothermia when climbing on ropes up the waterfall.

It is thought that local floods and melt-water meant the waterfall was too fierce for them to survive the climb.

Following the discovery of the cavers' car in Ireby, near Ingleton, specialist equipment was found near to the entrance of the Ireby Fell cavern.

Ray Lea, of Vancouver Street, Darlington, was an engineering lecturer at Darlington College of Technology, where he founded the college's caving club.

He lived with his girlfriend and was divorced with two grown-up children, one of whom said she was too distressed to comment at his home last night.

His caving partner, Julian Carroll, of Hotspur Street, Tyne-mouth, had recently announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Alison, and they were planning a spring wedding in Edinburgh.

Steve Finch, who coordinated the Cave Rescue Organisation rescue attempt, said the pair's deaths were probably avoidable.

"They may have made an error of judgement," he said. "They weren't local and the judgement they made about the level of water and the effect of the rain and meltwater was not appropriate. They probably died of exposure - hypothermia - or they may have drowned when trying to climb up the waterfall.

"We found them still attached to the rope halfway up the waterfall, which was about 55ft high."

Mr Lea's death will be hard felt at Darlington College where he was a popular and outgoing lecturer.

Malcolm Price, head of engineering at the college, said: "He was a cheerful, happy-go-lucky fellow who loved his job and was adored by his students.

"His students thought the world of him and will be devastated when I have to tell them - it will hit them very hard.

"I considered him a friend and colleague and he was a real enthusiast in everything he did. It's a big loss."

He added that Mr Lea had been considering taking early retirement at the age of 60.

Neighbours of Mr Caroll said he was "a doting dad who was full of life".

Marcia O'Callaghan, who lives next door, said: "He was a lovely, lovely man and a wonderful father. He was always with his daughter, Claudia.

"He told me recently he was going to tie the knot with Alison and asked me for brochures for a suitable hotel in Edinburgh for the reception. Alison will be completely devastated."

Both men were experienced cavers and Mr Lea, in particular, was said to be an excellent potholer.

He created a website for the Darlington College Caving Club that included details of dozens of successful caving trips.

The bodies were handed over to undertakers following yesterday afternoon's tragedy and were being transferred to Royal Lancaster Infirmary's mortuary