A couple found dead at a house in Birmingham were named today as Avtar and Carole Kolar. West Midlands Police said the couple were found dead on Wednesday morning by their policeman son.

Officers said the bodies of a 62-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman were discovered at an address in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, shortly after 8am today.

Post-mortem examinations have not yet been carried out but police believe the couple were subjected to an assault.

Forensic examination was under way at the scene, in Friary Road, this afternoon.

Detective Superintendent Richard Baker said: "Our thoughts are with the family of this couple, and the community in which they lived.

"We are going to do everything that we can to find those responsible as quickly as possible.

"We have 60 officers working on this inquiry and neighbourhood officers are currently out in the local area delivering reassurance messages.

"This is a major investigation with a number of extremely fast inquiries currently being undertaken.

"I would particularly appeal to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area between 7.15pm last night, when the couple were last spoken to, and 8am this morning.

"Local people hold the key to finding who is responsible for this terrible tragedy. If you believe that you have any piece of information that may help our inquiries, I would ask you to call us as soon as possible."

A police spokesman said the couple's relatives had been informed and were being supported by family liaison officers.

Anyone with information is urged to call Force CID in Birmingham on 0345 113 5000 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An employee at a nearby estate agency said: "There are lots of police and the road is cordoned off. There were about 10 cars this morning.

"Police cars were there and ambulances were there."

A resident on Friary Road said he saw a police helicopter over the area at about midday.