The mysterious deaths of a reclusive mum and daughter whose decomposed bodies were found in a bungalow will remain unsolved forever, an inquest has concluded.

Joyce and Beryl Sheen, who had lived in Staines Hill in Sturry, near Canterbury, since the 1970s, were discovered by police officers in August after neighbours raised the alarm.

The pair, aged 91 and 63, were both found in a mummified state, with the dates of their deaths said to have likely been almost two months before.

Today's inquest, held at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone, heard how officers saw hundreds of flies when they peered into the bungalow after making their way through an overgrown garden.

After breaking in via the back door, Joyce's body was found covered by a metal clothing airer on the bathroom floor.

Beryl's body was then found on a sofa, with bowls of what is thought to have been bile and vomit on the floor nearby.

Det Sgt Stuart Ward told the court how there was no inclination of fresh or tinned food in the bungalow aside from some used tea bags and a packet of eggs.

Assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn, who recorded an open conclusion, surmised that Joyce may have collapsed and died in the bathroom.

Beryl, who was then without a carer, died on the sofa - which she was using as a makeshift bed.

The reclusive pair, who almost never had a doctors appointment, seemingly cut themselves off from the outside world and lived in a "Dickensian" style.

They were rarely seen by neighbours or close family, with nephew Richard Phipps last seeing them in autumn 2016 when he purchased a new fridge for them.

"They had an old attitude of being fiercely independent - they didn't want help," he said.

"Joyce was very caring and Beryl was a shy person. It was a simple case of mum looking after daughter. They weren't unhappy - it's sad."

The bodies were discovered on August 6 this year. The most recent letter opened in the house was dated June 15.

A Christmas card signed off by Joyce and Beryl - and delivered to family member Iris - revealed how they were not connected to the phone line.

"We're no longer on a phone - will get a mobile soon," it read.

"It'll save £200... looks like it's a Dickensian year ahead for all of us."

It appeared, however, that they never bought or used a mobile phone.

They refused to speak to adult social services and almost no information is known about the pair, who were originally from London.

Due to the advanced state of decomposition, there was very little tissue and no internal organs were identified by the pathologist. The cause of death for both women was therefore unknown.

Ms Hepburn said the truth will never come out.

"I simply do not know when or how these ladies died," she said.

"This is an inquest where a lot of questions will remain unanswered. This will remain a mystery."