A couple have died in a fire in Seacombe, after passing police officers raised the alarm when they saw smoke coming from the house.

The officers tried to forced their way inside the house in James Street, at around 8.30pm on Friday but were overcome by heat and smoke, the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service said.

A woman was brought outside and given emergency first-aid before being transferred to Arrowe Park Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

A man was also found dead inside the house.

The names and ages of the couple are not known, nor is the cause of the blaze.

Three fire appliances attended the scene and firefighters worked for around an hour to put out the flames.

Dave Mottram, area manager for Merseyside Fire & Rescue, paid tribute to the "valiant" efforts of the police officers who tried to save the couple.

He said: "The fire service were alerted by the police who discovered the fire while in attendance at another incident in the street.

"Police officers made valiant attempts to save the occupiers, forcing entry through the front door, but unfortunately they were unable to do so due to the effects of severe heat and smoke.

"Fire-fighters made entry into the property wearing breathing apparatus, where they found the ground-floor was well alight.

"They tackled the fire and prevented it spreading to neighbouring properties. The fire was quickly under control and completely extinguished by 9.30pm."

Mr Mottram continued: "The thoughts of all Merseyside Fire Service staff are with the family of the deceased at this time.

"We understand fires like this can have a great degree of impact on communities and we will be highlighting fire safety messages to people in the area in the coming days.

"Please can I stress the importance of working smoke alarms and remind everyone that Merseyside Fire Service will fit smoke alarms and carry out a home fire safety check free of charge to anyone over 65 in our communities. "

An examination of the scene, which has been sealed off, will begin today as the cause of the fire is investigated jointly by Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

Merseyside Police began house-to-house enquiries to find out who the pair were and inform their next of kin.