Mystery today surrounds the death of a pensioner whose body was found in her Hampshire home.

It comes after officers today revealed that the death of Joyce Reade was not being treated as suspicious.

Police were called to a house in Deerleap Close, Hythe, and once inside the semi-detached property they found the body of the 82-year-old.

Her husband, retired engineer Peter Reade, 83, was taken to Southampton General Hospital in what was described as a life-threatening condition.

Today police issued a statement which said the deathof Mrs Reade was now being handled by the coroner.

But they did not reveal how the mother-of-two had died.

The statement said: "Police can now confirm that the sudden death of an elderly woman in Hythe on Wednesday November 12 is not being treated as suspicious.

"This follows a post mortem.

"Police are now preparing a file for the coroner-further press queries should be directed to the coroner's office."

Forensic experts had spent several hours examining the house for clues and a marked police car was stationed outside.

Last night police refused to release any further details about the circumstances surrounding Mrs Reade's death.

Neighbours spoke of their shock after seeing the emergency services descend on the quiet cul-de-sac.

Daily Echo:

Witnesses said an ambulance and as many as nine or ten police cars dashed to the scene.

One woman living a few doors from Mr and Mrs Reade's house said: “I've never seen anything like it.”

Another Deerleap Close resident added: “I've heard a rumour that Joyce died and Peter was found by her side.

“The reaction of people living in the street has been one of shock. You don't expect anything like that to happen here.”

Described as a close and devoted couple, Mr and Mrs Reade used to go dancing in their younger days and still liked to get out and about, often going shopping together.

But they both suffered from mobility problems and had not been seen at Hythe & District Club for about two years.

A club spokesman said: “Peter was a nice, sociable sort of chap with his own circle of friends. He loved taking part in the Wednesday night quiz, which he often won.

“His wife was a lovely lady - one of the best.”

Mr Reade used to work at the former RAF Hythe which, despite its name, was a shipyard run by the US Army.

His wife was once employed at the old Dreamland electric blanket factory in Hythe. The building has since been demolished and replaced by a waterfront housing scheme.

The couple, originally from the Liverpool area, had lived in their house since it was built in 1968.

Neighbours said they had a son and a daughter, neither of whom lived in the area.

A man whose parents used to live opposite Mr and Mrs Reade said: “Joyce was very frail and I'm surprised they stayed in a property with stairs for so long.

“They were a lovely couple who would do anything for anyone.”

A police spokesman said: “Police were alerted to a report of a concern for welfare at 9pm on Wednesday.

“On arrival at the property the body of an 82-year-old woman was found inside. “An 83-year-old man at the same address was taken to hospital and is currently receiving treatment.”

A South Central Ambulance service spokesman said crews were called to the property after reports of a medical emergency.

The spokesman said a man was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.