Criminal proceedings will not be taken against a man who survived a suicide bid with his wife after discovering she had terminal cancer.

But the Crown Prosecution Service said it had not entirely ruled out any future action against William Barrett, from Peel Court, Bolton, Bradford, whose wife Margaret died in their car outside the family home.

Mrs Barrett, 80, was found slumped in the front passenger seat of the Renault Clio by police officers in the early hours of August 6 after being alerted by Mr Barrett, 78.

A spokesman for the CPS said: "At this stage proceedings are not being taken. We do not feel it is in the public interest.

"However, there will be an inquest and the CPS will keep the matter under review.

"We may take proceedings depending on what the coroner says and any new evidence which comes to light."

Mr Barrett said he did not wish to comment on the decision.

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Gasson told an inquest opened at the time of her death that the couple had made their suicide pact after Mrs Barrett was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of June.

He told the coroner Mr Barrett had admitted that the couple, who have three children between them, wanted to die together and had planned the suicide for a number of weeks.

But a couple of hours after a vacuum hose from the exhaust was connected to the car cabin and the engine started, Mr Barrett awoke to find his wife dead beside him.

He was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary and treated for the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mr Barrett was arrested and released on police bail while officers passed a file on to the CPS for consideration.

Following the incident, neighbours described the couple, who had lived in the flat since the block was built about 25 years ago, as "immensely devoted to each other".