Prayers said after McFall family found dead in Oswestry

Police have said no-one else was being sought over the deaths

Prayers have been said in a Shropshire town where the bodies of a mother, father and daughter were found.

Nearly 150 people attended a service at the St Oswald church in Oswestry.

Sue McFall, 56, and her daughter Francesca, 18, were found dead at their home on Friday. Hugh McFall, 48, was later found dead at an industrial unit.

A double murder and suicide inquiry was started on Friday. Police have said no-one else is being sought over the "family tragedy".

'Share burdens'

Post-mortem examinations were expected to be carried out over the weekend.

Mrs McFall and her daughter were found dead at their home in Hampton Road at about 0500 GMT.

Nearly 150 people attended a service at the Parish Church of Oswestry

The body of Mr McFall was found a few hours later at an industrial lock-up he rented in nearby St Martins.

The Reverend Simon Thorburn, who led prayers at St Oswald's, had earlier encouraged people to share their problems more openly and said the community was still reeling from the deaths.

He said: "I think people are thinking about other friends they know, and who else is in trouble and you don't really know about it.

"People do keep their problems to themselves."

Speaking to the congregation on Sunday, he said: "In the wake of this tragedy as we remember the McFall family today let us pray that we can support one another better, recognise our frailty."

'Don't forget'

A condolence book has been opened at the church.

Francesca, who was known by her friends and family as Frankie, was studying A-levels in the 6th form at Oswestry School, an independent school close to the family home. She had previously studied at Marches School in the town.

Speaking outside the parish church, family friend Graeme Robson, 45, said Mr McFall "doted on Frankie beyond belief".

Mr Robson said he went out with Nicola Gillham, Mrs McFall's daughter from a previous marriage, for about three years until they broke up two years ago.

Francesca, known by her family as Frankie, was studying A-levels

He added: "I don't relate any of what has happened to Hugh as a father.

"He was just a really, really genuine bloke. If you swore in front of him he would go red."

Mr Robson said he had not spoken to any family members since the deaths but said the rumours of financial problems did not "ring true" to him.

He added: "Two years ago before I split up with Nicola, they had literally no mortgage on the house and were thinking of moving."

Ffion Lloyd, 17, who went to primary school with Francesca, said she was "always a bright girl to be around".

She added: "She was just always there just constantly, if you needed to talk to someone.

"She was just always happy and bubbly.

"I lost contact with her in secondary school as you do move on, but you just don't forget the friends you grew up with, do you?"

'Great friend'

Margaret Lloyd, who is no relation to Ffion, previously taught Francesca music and lives around the corner.

She said she was an "absolutely delightful girl".

The teacher added: "[She was] brilliant, committed - [a] fantastic student, really determined to do well and to succeed in life really and a great friend to all the other students that were in her classes.

"She really was a stunner. She was head girl at school.

"I think she wanted to do medicine and she would have been a great success at that I'm sure.

"Everybody agrees that they just seemed a perfect family and at the minute nobody seems to know what's gone on there."

'Offer support'

James Bond, a neighbour and close friend of the McFall family, said the news had come as a massive shock.

The BBC Radio Shropshire presenter, 51, said: "The police in your kitchen at quarter to six in the morning isn't quite what you expect.

"And when they say brutally 'We can only tell you this straight away. It's tragic news. There are two dead bodies next door. We need a pointer to try and find the man you know as a friend next door as soon as possible' - you think goodness me what's life come to? It's been turned upside down in a moment."

David Lloyd, a former leader of Oswestry Borough Council, who knew Mr McFall, said the important thing now was "to offer support".

"The way in which the public reacts in support of those who are suffering is quite substantial," he said.

"There's a great sense of knowing and belonging in the town."

Since Francesca's death, more than 1,000 people have joined a page on Facebook, set up in her memory.

Mr McFall ran a wholesale florist business and it is thought he raised the alarm about the bodies in the house.