GORDON Prentice has highlighted the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home -- the silent killer which claimed a young Nelson married couple's lives in 1998.

The Pendle Labour MP is backing a British Gas campaign to make people more aware of the danger.

Carbon monoxide is more often associated with car exhausts but can leak from many domestic appliances and flues.

It has no smell and it kills by suffocation.

In March 1998, Tauseef Ahmed, 23, and his 20-year-old bride Qaila, were discovered dead suffocated by carbon monoxide fumes at their home in Albion Street, Nelson.

The carbon monoxide appeared to have leaked from a faulty gas fire.

Mr Prentice said: "This is the danger we should all be aware of.

"Leakage of carbon monoxide from flues or appliances cannot be seen and has no smell, but it kills.

"Every year around 50 people are killed and many more are made very ill.

"We all remember this double tragedy here in Nelson just a few years ago when the young Ahmed couple died.

"Carbon monoxide can leak from any appliance using gas, coal, wood or oil and the symptoms of poisoning can be headaches, nausea, vomiting and and general listlessness which can be mistaken for flu.

"It is important to ensure that appliances like fires, water heaters and central heating boilers are checked and serviced regularly.

"There are also simple safety checks which can be carried out. Look for signs of staining, soot or discoloration on or around gas boilers, fires and water heaters.

"Check pilot lights and gas flames that normally burn blue.

"If these change to yellow or orange, it could mean that carbon monoxide is present.

"I hope everyone will take notice of the British Gas Awareness Campaign.

"We want to see an end to these deaths."

British Gas is sending leaflets to all its customers, GP's surgeries and health centres.