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Search goes on for MP's body
The blaze has left five feet of rubble in ruined home
Investigators searching for the remains of Conservative MP Michael Colvin and his wife Nichola will resume their grim task on Tuesday morning.
The couple are believed to have died when fire swept through their huge country home near Andover in Hampshire on Thursday.
The couple are believed to have died when fire swept through their huge country home near Andover in Hampshire on Thursday.
 Michael Colvin: Tributes from parliamentary colleagues
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But with rubble and ash lying five feet deep inside the ruined walls, the task of finding any trace of the couple has so far proved impossible.
The search was called off at last light on Monday evening, with a Hampshire police spokeswoman saying animal bones had been found, possibly from the family's pets.
As MPs returned to work on Monday, Speaker Betty Boothroyd offered the sympathies of the entire House of Commons to Mr and Mrs Colvin's family.
And parliamentary colleagues of Mr Colvin from all sides of the Commons paid further tributes during the day.
Shadow culture secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "MPs on both sides will have their memories of Michael. I came to know him best through his work for the arts and I'm quite sure that the entire House will join me in sending our heartfelt sympathy to Michael and Nichola's family on this tragedy."
Labour MP Bruce George, who succeeded Mr Colvin as chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, said he would be much missed.
'Charm and distinction'
He said: "The death of Michael and his wife is not only a tragedy to his constituents and his constituency association and to Parliament but, particularly, I would like to express the commiserations and the sadness of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Menzies Campbell joined in the tributes, describing Mr Colvin as a man of great personal charm and great distinction.
Detectives believe Mr and Mrs Colvin were inside the 10-bedroom house when the blaze broke out.
Investigators have been unable to establish how the fire started, but they have said that it started beneath the couple's bedroom.
Forensic scientists, scenes of crime officers and fire investigators are taking part in the search.
Police say the operation could take several more days to complete.
The Colvins' butler, Alvara Pereira, has told investigators the home had not been fitted with smoke detectors.
The search was called off at last light on Monday evening, with a Hampshire police spokeswoman saying animal bones had been found, possibly from the family's pets.
As MPs returned to work on Monday, Speaker Betty Boothroyd offered the sympathies of the entire House of Commons to Mr and Mrs Colvin's family.
And parliamentary colleagues of Mr Colvin from all sides of the Commons paid further tributes during the day.
Shadow culture secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "MPs on both sides will have their memories of Michael. I came to know him best through his work for the arts and I'm quite sure that the entire House will join me in sending our heartfelt sympathy to Michael and Nichola's family on this tragedy."
Labour MP Bruce George, who succeeded Mr Colvin as chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, said he would be much missed.
'Charm and distinction'
He said: "The death of Michael and his wife is not only a tragedy to his constituents and his constituency association and to Parliament but, particularly, I would like to express the commiserations and the sadness of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee."
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Menzies Campbell joined in the tributes, describing Mr Colvin as a man of great personal charm and great distinction.
Detectives believe Mr and Mrs Colvin were inside the 10-bedroom house when the blaze broke out.
Investigators have been unable to establish how the fire started, but they have said that it started beneath the couple's bedroom.
Forensic scientists, scenes of crime officers and fire investigators are taking part in the search.
Police say the operation could take several more days to complete.
The Colvins' butler, Alvara Pereira, has told investigators the home had not been fitted with smoke detectors.
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