Police have said that there is currently no link to carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of death for a Workington mother and son found dead at home.

The pair, named locally as Beatrice Pasquill and her son John Pasquill, were found on Wednesday, when police had to force entry to their home after being alerted by a concerned member of the public.

Detective Inspector Matt Scott, from Cumbria Police said: “Post mortem examinations have yet to be carried out.

“We can say there is nothing at this stage to suggest this is anything to do with carbon monoxide poisoning.”

The community has paid tribute to the mother and son.

Neighbour Ann Reid said: “Mrs Pasquill was lovely, very polite and very quietly spoken. I just hope she went peacefully in her sleep.”

Her son Danyal Reid added: “John was very quiet and kind, just like his mam. A lot of people thought of her as a lovely person.”

Janet Taylor Wilson said: "What on earth could have happened? I don't get it, r.i.p."

St John’s ward councillor Mike Heaslip said: “It’s so sad cases like this. It’s obviously a very tragic situation. We don’t know what has happened yet. We need to wait for the police investigation, but it’s sad to see these two people have gone in tragic circumstances.

“I appeal to everyone to look out for their neighbours. The woman that thought to look out for this man was very public spirited.”

Police say that the two deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

Shop worker Michelle Hansen had raised the alarm with police after becoming concerned that she had not seen John for around two weeks at the B&M Express (formerly Heron Foods) in Murray Road.

He had previously shopped at the store on a daily basis.

She said: “I was just concerned: he used to do his shopping here every day. I just wish it had been a better outcome.”

Cumbria police say details are now being prepared for the coroner. They said formal identification has yet to take place but next of kin have been informed.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire Service confirmed that a crew from Whitehaven fire station also attended on Wednesday to assist police in making the scene safe.