A ligature was used to strangle a woman whose body was recovered from the River Bure on the Norfolk Broads along with that of her partner, an inquest has heard.

The bodies of Annette Creegan, 49, from Mitcham in Surrey, and John Didier, 41, also from Mitcham, were found on Sunday, September 2.

It followed an extensive search which had been prompted by the discovery of a teenage girl alone on a pleasure cruiser tied to a tree at Salhouse Little Broad just after 5pm on Saturday, September 1.

An inquest opened into the deaths in Norwich today heard the couple had been together on a cruiser on Salhouse Broad before their bodies were recovered from the broad on September 2.

Post mortem examinations were carried out and a preliminary report for Ms Creegan, who was born in Balham, Greater London and who worked as a specialist nurse, indicated preliminary cause of death was consistent with compression of the neck.

A preliminary report for Mr Didier, who was born in Kettering, Ohio, USA, indicated drowning as the cause of death.

Norfolk coroner William Armstrong said: 'This matter has already been the subject of much discussion. No criminal proceedings against anyone are contemplated.

Police investigations are continuing on behalf of the coroner and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.'

The inquest was adjourned.