A British couple were today found dead in their isolated home in following a possible ‘burglary gone wrong’.

A neighbour found the two bodies early on Thursday afternoon. Their identities have not been released by French authorities, who confirmed they were a man and woman in their 60s, and were both British nationals.

Both were discovered in the isolated home in the south west of France on Thursday afternoon. The is not revealing the location to prevent identifying them until confirmation their next-of-kin have been informed.

One investigating source said it was being theorised that the deaths were a result of a "burglary gone wrong". "The house is very isolated, close to thick woods, and it may have been targeted," the source said.

"A neighbour who goes on long walks with the couple discovered the bodies when he called round to see them. He is currently speaking to detectives." The couple were said to have been holiday home owners from the UK who were "extremely popular" with locals.

The source said: "They had numerous friends locally and further afield including in Britain, and often organised dinner parties." He added: "They both loved the countryside, and were very happily settled. They were very proud of their house, which is situated well away from other buildings in the hamlet."

By Thursday evening, the house and its grounds were cordoned off, and full of forensics officers examining the suspected scene. A helicopter landed in a field nearby, and it contained senior detectives, said another source.

Drones could also be seen circling overhead, while house-to-house enquiries being carried out by gendarmes. Local prosecutors have opened a judicial enquiry and are said to have ‘not ruled out any theory.’