Charity was phoned before couple died

The bodies of Jean and Derek Randall were discovered at their bungalow in Northampton last Thursday.

A post-mortem examination i revealed both died of natural causes, Northamptonshire Police said yesterday.

It is believed the reclusive couple may have been dead for several days before police broke into their home on Birch Barn Way, alerted by a nurse who called at the house but could not get a response from them.

Neighbour, Heather Footitt, said she made repeated calls for help to Age Concern but her pleas were dismissed because she was not a relative.

The charity said it did not have a record of the 73-year-old retired kitchen assistant phoning its national helpline on December 21 as she has claimed.

But it did have a log of Mrs Footitt phoning its local helpline that same day.

As a result local social services were contacted.

The charity added Mr Randall phoned for advice about care homes before December 21.

Mrs Footitt dismissed the charity's claims and said she had to supply Age Concern with Mr Randall's contact details but even then it did not ring.

She also insisted she called the national helpline.