A British couple in their sixties were found dead in their home in southwestern France, with prosecutors saying on Friday they died a "violent death".The bodies of the couple, who had lived in France for years,

The bodies were reportedly discovered by a neighbour, with the couple said to be active in the local community and well-liked.

A British couple in their sixties have been found dead in their home in southwest France with a murder probe launched. French media reported that Andrew and Dawn Searle were discovered by a neighbour at around 12.20pm Thursday in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.

French police are reported to be treating the deaths of Andrew and Dawn Searle as homicide after a neighbour discovered the bodies.

Andrew and Dawn Searles have been named after their bodies were found by their neighbour in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, in south western France.