An elderly couple have died after a suspected carbon monoxide leak at their Pudsey home.

The couple - who were today named as Cyril and Irene Scott - were discovered by relatives at their house in Westdale Drive at 2.30pm yesterday.

Mr Scott, 88, was already dead when they were found. His 62-year-old wife was in a serious condition and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where she died later.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said an investigation into the deaths was taking place today.

"Officers attended the scene and reported a strong smell of gas at the premises," said the spokesman.

"The circumstances suggest that the deaths may have been the result of gas poisoning.

"Officials from Transco and the Health and Safety Executive are assisting police officers into the investigation of this tragic incident."

Neighbour Alison Wardle, 26, said: "We knew him as Cyril, he was a really nice man and he always used to stop and chat.

"He was very friendly and if I was out in the garden, he would walk past and talk for ages.

"My daughter came running home yesterday and said there were ambulances and police cars in the street.

"Some detectives came round and asked me when I had last seen him. We didn't know what had gone on, there were just lots and lots of police around."

Mrs Wardle said that the police were there for more than four hours.

Another neighbour, Dennis Wade, 70, said: "All I saw was two ambulances outside the house."

Mr Wade said that the man was a retired textile worker, had lived in the house for more than 30 years and his relatives moved out of the area.

A spokesman for Transco said: "We were called out by the police yesterday afternoon and checked all external gas pipes. They were all in working order and it appears the couple may have been overcome by carbon monoxide." He added that the Health and Safety Executive and the gas supplier had been informed and the Coroner had been informed.

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "There are about 50 deaths a year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty heating systems. People need to be aware and get appliances checked and serviced regularly. If anyone has doubts, they ought to seek expert advice."

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