Twenty-nine-year-old Michelle Hibbert and her husband Geoffrey, 61, were found dead at their home on Buckland Avenue in South Ham on Father’s Day.

Police were called to the scene just before 2am where the couple, who were parents to a young son, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 52-year-old man, from Sherborne St John, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Hampshire police have confirmed they are working closely with Child Services to ensure the child is safeguarded and provided the support.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council told the Gazette: “We are unable to provide any details as, in the interests of safeguarding, this must remain confidential.”

Chief Inspector Matthew Reeves has described it as a “shocking incident” and said it is believed the parties were “known to each other”.

A young woman living above a McColl's shop at the end of the road, around 60 metres away from Mr Hibbert's house, said she heard what she initially thought were 'fireworks' when she woke during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Caz Marshall, 21, said: "I heard it was Geoffrey and Michelle Hibbert, from a neighbour who is in touch with an elderly woman who lives on the road.

"I thought I heard some fireworks when I woke up at around 3am on Sunday morning to go to the toilet.

"We had the windows shut so it was a bit muffled, but it sounded like fireworks.

"There were people saying it could have been a door being broken down, but there were four or five in quick succession.

"It's normally really quiet down there."

On Sunday, June Nicholson, who lives on the same road as the victims with husband Danny, said: “I heard a bang in the early hours this morning, I think it was doors banging but it was hard to say.

“We didn’t think much of it then this morning we noticed we’ve got loads of police on our doorstep. It’s shocking really."