A man found dead in a flat in Goodmayes could have been lying undiscovered for up to a month while his wife was living in the home.

The 59-year-old man lived with his wife and their pet Staffordshire bull terrier.

His body was found in a flat in Goodmayes Lane, by police and an ambulance crew on Thursday.

They received a call at 11am from a member of the public to complain about a strange smell.

Neighbour Melissa Reckford said: “The police told me he had probably been dead for a month, which was such a shock and really scary. I was upset after I found out.

“The couple seemed very happy but I hadn’t seen [the dead man] for a couple of weeks and when I asked [his wife] where he was, she said he was in bed or that he was sleeping.

“Every time I walked past there was a funny smell, but I just thought the flat needed cleaning or something, I wish I’d done something.”

The cause of death is thought to be heart related and is being treated as non-suspicious.

Miss Reckford added: “The couple had lived in the flat for around three years so I knew them quite well.”

According to Miss Reckford, the dead man’s wife has “learning difficulties”.

She added: “She sometimes struggled to understand what you were saying but they were just normal neighbours.”

A Redbridge Council spokesman would not comment on the case for confidentiality reasons but said: “In cases where a vulnerable adult is involved, the council can organise a wide range of support and care services to ensure that a person is properly looked after, including re-housing if necessary.”