A DEVOTED couple who died in tragic circumstances are being cremated together on Friday.

It is believed stricken John Lewis carried out a mercy killing on his wheelchair-bound wife, Enid - who grew up in Culcheth - before taking his own life.

The grim discovery of the bodies was made by an estate agent showing house hunters around the couple's home of 10 years in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria.

Liverpudlian John, 56, had discovered he was suffering from asbestos-related cancer and had spent a week in hospital receiving treatment.

Meanwhile his wife, Enid, 57, who suffered from multiple sclerosis and could not be left alone, had to be moved into a hospice during his stay.

It is thought that, on his return home on Friday, August 13, John was unable to take any more heartbreak and suffocated his wife before hanging himself.

An estate agent showing a prospective buyer around the home let himself in and discovered John's body. After leaving in shock, he returned later to the house to find Enid's body in another room.

Enid was the daughter of the late Culcheth couple Eric and Dorothy Bowmer and had two brothers Kenneth, who has flown in from his home in America for the funeral, and Jonathan.

The couple, who did not have children, will be cremated at Thornton following Mass at noon at St Benedict's Church, Netherton.

Mr Lewis's brother Joe, 65, who lives in Netherton said: "The family is devastated. They had been married for more than 20 years and were devoted to each other.

"When Enid was diagnosed with MS a few years after the wedding my brother quit his job as a welder to take care of her. Despite the situation they were still totally in love.

"John was devastated when he got cancer, not just for himself but because he could not look after Enid. She was very sick and that is why this happened.

"She couldn't do anything for herself. His life revolved around her. He fed her and lifted her here, there and everywhere. She couldn't have a conversation.

"They moved to Cumbria because he felt it would be a more relaxed location to take care of his wife but several months ago he learned he was suffering from mesothelioma, a legacy from his days as a welder."

"I spoke to him two days before they were found and he was upset, but that had been normal for a while. My brother was terrified of not being able to look after Enid as he had been doing it 24 hours a day for many years. He was her rock."

Home Office pathologist Alison Armour carried out post mortem examinations and Inspector Paul Coulson, of Cumbria Police, said: "We are not at this stage looking for any third party."