TWO people - including a man fro Somerset - have been arrested on suspicion of helping a 94-year-old man end his life.

An 89-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man were questioned by police over encouraging or assisting a suicide after Ralph Saxon Snell, who lived in Lymington in the New Forest, Hampshire, was found dead on January 28.

An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned until August.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "We were called at 9.53pm on Monday January 28 after the body of a 94-year-old man was found at a house in Courtenay Place, Lymington.

"An investigation is under way to establish the exact circumstances of the death.

"An 89-year-old woman from Lymington and a 68-year-old man from Somerset were arrested on suspicion of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging/assisting the suicide of another.

"They have been released from police custody but remain under investigation."

Helping someone take their own life is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The news comes a day after Geoff Whaley, 80, of Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire, arranged to end his life at a Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to avoid a protracted death from motor neurone disease, which he was diagnosed with two years ago.

His wife Ann, 76, supported his decision but reportedly said his final weeks were marred by police inquiries over her involvement in his plans.

Officers dropped the case but the couple called for the law to be changed to allow assisted dying in some circumstances.