TWO friends found dead after a major fireworks explosion at a Windermere wedding were 'alive for a period of time after the fire had started', a court heard.

David Roberts, senior coroner for Cumbria, told a pre-inquest review into the deaths of Andrew Coates, 41, and Polly Connor, 46, that a high-level of carbon monoxide was detected in their blood streams - suggesting they were able to breathe in the poisonous gas after the initial blast.

The pair, from Kendal, were killed as they prepared fireworks for a wedding reception finale in the grounds of Larch Cottage at Ecclerigg, on the shores of Windermere, on August 30 last year.

But while the medical cause of death had been established in completed toxicology reports, the review at Kendal County Hall heard a four-day jury inquest could take place as late as December.

Mr Roberts said although he was not 'keen' for it to take that long, a time frame of October 21 to December 25 would be given to interested parties to establish a suitable date.

Polly's stepfather, Professor John Benson, said: "The families have perhaps a stronger sense of urgency than some of those that are less closely affected by the issues. I hope you (Mr Roberts) take that into account."

Mr Roberts said around 20 witnesses would be called to give evidence at the final inquest including immediate family and representatives from Cumbria Constabulary and the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.

The coroner said issues to be looked at during the inquest would be what caused the first firework to ignite, which he added would be a 'problematic question to answer' using the evidence available.

Other matters to explore were the sequence of events leading up to explosion, what materials or fireworks were in the store at the time and any issues relating to licensing.

Mr Coates and mother-of-three Mrs Connor, a plumber, were working at the wedding celebration of businessman John Simpson and Nicole Rothwell when the explosion in 2014 sent thick plumes of black and grey smoke into the air.

Mr Simpson had a licence to keep fireworks at his home and ran Stardust Fireworks with Mr Coates, who was co-ordinating the display.

In January a separate pre-inquest review heard that the full inquest was expected to take place in July, but a second hearing in June was told no date could be offered.