Tributes are paid to blast couple

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A couple killed in an explosion in Axbridge, Somerset, were "true pillars of the community".

Neighbours have paid tribute to the couple named locally as Wilfred and Wendy Bastin who were found dead after an explosion at their home on Saturday.

Axbridge councillor Liz Scott said the couple, who had a large family, were well-known in the town.

"Many people have been left very upset by this. It's a dreadful accident and our thoughts are with the family."

Carolyn Hoyle-Johnson, landlady of the nearby Crown Inn, said she heard a loud bang before the emergency services arrived.

"Glass flew across the road and there was a huge bang," she said.

"It is a very close-knit community and everyone I have seen is very upset. But it is very unclear what actually happened."

She added that the building where the explosion occurred was divided into flats.

Police spokeswoman Jenny Bigwood said the couple would not be formally identified until post-mortem examinations were complete.

She said the explosion happened in the rear of the large building which had been divided up into exclusive apartments.

Ms Bigwood said: "It happened in a single storey annexe at the rear of the property, which has sustained fire damage and damage to the roof.

"A window at the front of the property was also damaged. There are three other flats in the main building, but it is not believed anyone else was at home at the time."

A neighbour of the couple, who did not want to be named, said: "They were the loveliest couple. Two genuine pillars of the community with seven children."

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.