A MAN man and woman, believed to be mother and son, were found dead at their home this afternoon. 

Police were called to Heron Drive, in South Shields, at around 12.23pm after a member of the public expressed concern for the occupants. 

Detectives at the scene discovered the bodies of a 44-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman. 

They say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the two deaths and are not looking for anyone in connection with the incident.

Lesley-Ann Nicholson, who is a support worker on the South Tyneside estate, said people are saddened by the news.

She said: “It is such a shame.

“Everybody can’t believe that this has happened, it is absolutely devastating.

"The police had all the area cordoned off when I came on duty.

“No-one knows what has happened to them. They had lived there together for years, ever since this estate was built around 30 years ago.

“They always kept themselves to themselves. Everyone is in shock.”

Detectives are still attempting to contact next of kin and have not named the two people.