Weapons at double shooting scene

The bodies were found in the garden of a bungalow

Police have recovered four guns from a Dartmoor property where a man and a woman were found shot dead.

The man, aged 52, and the woman, aged 42, were found in the garden of Leat Cottage, a bungalow in Lake Lane, Dousland at about 1200 BST on Thursday.

Another woman who was nearby is being treated as a witness.

The weapons found at the property, which is being treated as a murder scene, were a Smith and Wesson Magnum pistol, two other pistols and a rifle.

Police said they were still contacting next-of-kin and extended family members to inform them of the deaths.

Police have recovered four guns from a Dartmoor property where a man and a woman were found shot dead

Supt Sarah Sharpe, commander for South and West Devon, said: "This is a very sad incident where two people have lost their lives.

"Thankfully this type of occurrence is extremely rare in Devon and Cornwall, and incidents involving deaths by firearms even more uncommon."

Both of the dead people were retained fire fighters and the flag at Yelverton fire station is flying at half mast.

Philip Sanders, a local councillor, said: "It is a surprise and shock, because this is a quiet residential area.

"There are some quite large properties there. It's not the sort of thing you expect to happen.

"This is a terrible tragedy for the families involved.

"There is obviously a story here that is yet to unfold."