Two teenage girls have died in a double suicide, police have confirmed.

Their bodies were discovered in a car in the garage of a house in Crawley where they had been partying.

Police confirmed today that suicide notes had been found.

Detectives said a length of hosepipe was found leading from the exhaust of the car.

The girls were named as Elizabeth Gold, 17, from the Broadfield area of the town, and Jennifer Prinn, also 17, from Co Cork, Ireland.

Post mortem examinations were under way.

The friends were discovered at a house in Mayfield, a cul-de-sac in the Pound Hill area.

Det Sgt Michael Beard confirmed that letters were found in the vehicle but he declined to reveal the contents of them.

A police spokesman added: "It appears the girls may have died in some sort of suicide pact.

"Certainly neither appears to have been dead a lot longer than the other. The post-mortem will give us a clearer picture of what happened.

"There was a length of hose pipe found leading into the car. There are no suspicious circumstances."

The bodies of Elizabeth and Jennifer were found yesterday morning after a party on Saturday night at the home of 17-year-old Andrew Sutton, whose parents were away for the weekend.

Andrew discovered the pair in the family car parked in the garage.

Today his father, John, 47, said: "At this moment all our thoughts are with the parents of the two girls who were Andrew's friends.

"We as a family are equally devastated by this tragic event which will take considerable time to heal.

"We would really appreciate it if we were now left in peace to recover."

Detectives were working on the theory that the girls died from carbon monoxide poisoning .

The car's engine was running when the alarm was raised.

It is believed Elizabeth and Jennifer went with two boys to the house for a party and decided to stay when it became too late to go home.

Police believe the pair may have crept downstairs at some point during the night to take their own lives.

The investigation team was examining why they might have killed themselves.

The girl's identities were officially confirmed by Crawley and Horsham Coroner's Officer Mick Harvey.

Andrew Sutton and his two friends, who were said to be "shocked and distressed", have been helping officers piece together the events of the night.

Mayfield is a quiet and secluded cul-de-sac.

Det Sgt Beard said: "I am able to confirm that letters were found within the car. Forensic samples have been taken from the girls and from the vehicle. These have been taken away for analysis.

"Both families are completely devastated by this tragedy, as well as Andrew Sutton who found the girls. It has been quite an appaling experience for them."