A COMMUNITY has been left in shock after the bodies of a man and two children were discovered in a flat in Tidworth.

The bodies, of a man in his 30s and two young children, were found at Auchinleck House in Sidbury Heights at 1.20pm yesterday.

Tidworth town councillor Fred Galvin said he believed the children lived with their mother in Andover and were visiting their father.

He said: “It is a very big shock to the community and to the town council. We are very, very sad for the mother, who has to bury her two little ones.”

It is thought that the dead man and the children had not been seen for some time and that the bodies may have been in the flat for several days.

The property has been cordoned off and a full forensic examination is being undertaken by crime scene investigators and a pathologist, who are still at the scene this morning.

The mother of the children has been informed of the tragedy.

DCI Ian Saunders of the police’s Brunel Major Crime Investigation Team said they are treating the deaths of the children as suspicious but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Officers have been speaking to witnesses and residents but are appealing for the public to come forward if they can help with any information.

DCI Saunders said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the seven days since last Saturday in the area of Auchinleck House and the surrounding area.”

Anyone with information can call 101 and ask for the incident room, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.