Mother and two children found dead

A mother and two children from a "very pleasant family" have been found dead inside their home.

The three, named locally as Claudia Oakes-Green, her son Thomas, believed to be 12, and daughter Eleanor, eight, were discovered by police at the address in Garendon Road in Shepshed, Leicestershire, last night.

Leicestershire police said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

Michael Eastwood, vicar at St Winefride's Catholic Church, which stands next to the house, said the family had appeared to be a happy one.

He had known the family, which included the woman's husband, named locally as Iain, as they regularly worshipped at the church.

"They are a very pleasant family," he said.

"One of the things we remember about them, and always will remember about them, particularly in the summer evenings, was that we would hear the children in the garden and the sound we heard was one of enjoyment and happiness.

"We always remarked about that and said 'Oh, they are having an enjoyable time again'."

Mr Eastwood said the boy went to De Lisle Catholic Science College and the young girl to St Winefride's Primary.

The family had lived at the address for about four or five years.

Mr Oakes-Green is thought to be an engineer for Campbell Scientific.

A spokesman said the company would not be commenting.

The detached house in the quiet suburban street showed little evidence of the tragedy that had unfolded.

A gate leading through to the back garden, which is reached down the left-hand side of the house, had been broken off its hinges and stood propped against the side of the house.

The house had been extended at the rear, and there was a children's trampoline in the back garden.

Two police officers and a police car stood inside the cordon that has been placed around the house.

Michael Jones, who lives across the road, said he arrived home last night at about 10.30pm.

"I arrived home and there was one police car that had its boot open but not much other than that.

"I could hear the sirens in the distance but that was it really.

"This is a bit of a shock," he said. "You just don't expect it on your doorstep.

"The kids were always playing out, and out with the dog.

"I saw the mum and dad as well and they'd always smile and say hello."