Detectives believe the fate of a Bexhill couple's dog could hold the key to their deaths.

The animal, called Rowan, was owned by Audrey Taylor, 74, who was found dead with a head injury at her home in Collington Rise on Wednesday morning.

A knife-sharpening rod was found by her body.

The dog was found dead at the scene.

Her former husband Don Taylor, 79, is believed to have hanged himself at the scene.

Post-mortem examinations are being carried out on the couple's bodies today.

Sussex Police detectives also plan to carry out a post mortem on the dog next week.

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles, of the force's major crime branch, said: "The post mortems should help us in deciding the circumstances of the deaths.

"It is unusual for a dog to be examined but the death of the dog may have been an important factor in the series of events which led to the death of the two people."

Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.