THE FAMILY of a terminally ill man who killed his sick wife before taking his own life have called for mercy killing to be legalised.

An inquest this week heard that John Lewis, 56, of Grange-over-Sands strangled his 57-year-old wife Enid with a luggage strap before hanging himself from the ceiling.

The retired contract welder, who had worked at power stations in the UK and Germany, had just days to live after a tumour linked to asbestos-related cancer had constricted his entire right lung and spread to his heart.

His family said he was terrified about leaving others to look after his wheelchair-bound wife, who had multiple sclerosis, was blind and needed round-the-clock care.

South Cumbria coroner Ian Smith said it was unclear whether Mrs Lewis had wanted to die so the law left him no choice but to return the verdict that she had been unlawfully killed.

"I'm not saying he should have done it. but I accept the circumstances were absolutely extreme, to that extent I respect him for what he did."

After the hearing, Mr Lewis's brother Joe said the Government should look at changing the law to allow euthanasia. But he added that if he had known about his brother's intentions he would have tried to stop him.

"I think there was no alternative as to what he could do," he said. "He took the kindest way out."

His sister Margaret O'Conner, 53, said she believed her brother was "very brave" to end both his own and his wife's life.

"It took a great deal of courage to do that. He put himself second. His uppermost concern was Enid even though he was ill himself. That was the only way he could be sure she was safe."

The couple's bodies were found on August 13 last year by estate agent Les Easterlow, who arrived to show prospective buyers around their Rigg's Close bungalow.

A letter had been left on the floor but it was not a suicide note and contained only factual instructions on dealing with the couple's estate.

Detective Inspector Geoff Huddleston of Cumbria Police said officers who looked at the couple's computer found the letter had been started weeks earlier. The last time the PC had been switched on was at midnight on the day of their deaths, when it had been used to search for properties in Lancaster.

The inquest also heard from the couple's GP, Dr Jane Irwin, that Mr Lewis had turned down treatments for the cancer that was diagnosed in February 2004 in order not to leave his wife.

Mrs Lewis became "upset and panicky" if she was left alone for more than a couple of hours, reported Dr Irwin, and relied on her husband to feed her and provide all her personal care.

He had looked after her for 20 years since she developed MS a few years after their wedding in 1984. Four years later she lost her sight and was wheelchair bound by 1990.

Joe Lewis said his brother was devoted to his wife's care. If he had to rely on others he would put notices with detailed care instructions all over the house. He even had a demonstration tea set to show how to align the handle and straw just so to suit his wife's weak arm.

Mrs O'Conner had volunteered to care for them and the Lewis's were planning to sell their home to be near her in Liverpool.

But Mrs O'Conner believed her brother felt there was no longer time to put the plan in action. "I think he had an idea he didn't have very long to live and did what he did while he still had the strength."

Coroner Ian Smith concluded: "In law Enid was unlawfully killed even if she consented, even if she begged him to do it. Mr Lewis did take his own life.

"These verdicts are just words, categorisations, the important thing is the surrounding circumstances and they put Mr Lewis in a very good light. He did what he thought was best and he did what he thought was right for his wife and himself and I cannot criticise that really."

Joe Lewis was clear where he felt the blame lay for the tragic end to his relatives' lives.

"If it hadn't have been for the mesothelioma this would never have happened."

A compensation claim has been lodged with Mr Lewis's former employers Babcock and Wilcox and another firm.