The body of a young woman was found wrapped in plastic bags and hidden under a bed at a Bradford bedsit, it has emerged.

The grim discovery was made by police called to the property in Hallfield Road, Manningham, after a man was found hanged by a rent collector.

Murder squad detectives investigating the double death last night ruled out anyone else being involved.

Police believe that the man killed his partner, described by neighbours as an attractive looking blonde, before hanging himself.

Officers are now trying to establish a motive for the tragedy, which has shocked residents in the area, who described them as an ordinary couple.

Investigations into how the woman died were continuing last night by a forensic pathologist after a post-mortem examination yesterday failed to establish a clear cause of death.

Detectives have already confirmed that the man died from hanging.

The couple, who shared a top-floor flat in the three-storey multi-occupancy terraced house in Hallfield Road, are understood to be from Poland and are not thought to have any other relatives living in the UK. Attempts were being made to contact their families so that formal identification can take place.

A statement issued by West Yorkshire Police said that post-mortem examinations had taken place on both bodies.

It was confirmed the man had died from hanging, but the pathologist was still investigating the cause of death of the woman and further tests are taking place.

The statement said that formal identification of the female had yet to take place and the family of the man were still to be informed.

It added: “Following our inquiries, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with these deaths.” Police and paramedics were alerted on Monday evening after the rent collector went to the house and used his keys to gain entry because the rent was overdue.

He discovered the man hanging inside the entrance to the flat. The collector alerted his uncle, the landlord of the property, and emergency services were called in.

It was up to two hours later when police officers discovered the woman’s hidden body, after a thorough search of the flat.

The investigation is being led by Detective Superintendent Sukhbir Singh, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.

The scene was sealed off following the grim discovery and police forensic experts continued to carry out a detailed examination of the property yesterday.

The area has been cordoned off with police guards at the front and back of the property.

The landlord of the property, Jamil Hussain, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Neighbours said the couple had been tenants at the flat for more than a year.

They described the woman as a stunning-looking blonde in her late teens. The man was slightly older.