POLICE say they have currently ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death for a mum and her two young children.

The family, named locally as Tiffany Stevens and her daughters Casey, aged three, and Darcey, aged one, were found dead at their rented home in Arthur Street, Little Lever, yesterday afternoon.

Shocked residents in the village have been speculating that the deaths were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning at the terraced house, which is owned by the Great Places housing association.

But police say the rumours are untrue although investigations are continuing into the deaths.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Although in the early stages of the investigation, at this time there is no evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Inquiries are ongoing."

Matthew Harrison, chief executive at Great Places Housing Group, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragedy at one of our properties in Little Lever and we wish to express our deepest sympathies to everyone affected.

“We are assisting the police with their investigation and we may comment further as details emerge.”

The North West Ambulance Service was called to the property at 3.35pm yesterday, with calls to the police made at 3.50pm.

No one was taken to hospital and today police vehicles remain outside the property.

It is understood that, until last year, Casey attended local nursery Jelly Babies, on Chapel Street.

Staff at the nursery declined to comment.

Superintendent Rick Jackson, of Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton borough, said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident and we have specialist officers supporting the family at this unimaginably difficult time.

“Our officers will be continuing with enquiries at the scene over the coming days and detectives will be investigating the full circumstances surrounding what happened.

“We are keeping an open mind as to what happened to the woman and her children and the investigation is likely to take some time, however based on what we know so far we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

“I would urge anyone who knows anything to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency, as your information could be vital to this investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 6777 quoting reference number 1275 of 21/01/19 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.