RESIDENTS and community leaders from the Higher Croft area of Blackburn today spoke of their shock at the killing which took place on their doorsteps.

Coun Jack Bury, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen and ward councillor for Higher Croft where the shooting took place, said it was "shocking". He said: "You don't expect that kind of thing to go on in a small community. It is terrifying for the neighbourhood."

He said: "You hear about it happening in other areas but you never expect it to happen so close to home."

Coun Bury said: "All I can say is I regret any incident of violence. I have canvassed in that area quite often in the past and I found that a lot of the people there are very nice and I never felt it was the kind of area that sort of thing would happen."

Coun Andy Kay, who also represents Higher Croft, said the shooting would "frighten most people to death".

He said: "These days nothing surprises me but this shocked me. It must be terrifying for those who live in the area to have that go on close by. This will have shocked the local community and they will be wondering what to expect next. It's unnerving. God knows what it's done to the family involved."

People living in Mona Road said they were shocked that such a brutal murder had happened in their street.

Mrs Lillian Olding, who has lived in the street for 40 years, said: "This is quite a quiet area where people keep themselves to themselves.

"I didn't know the people that lived in the house very well but she seemed like a nice girl." Another man, who asked not to be named, said: "I heard a shot at about 3am and went outside but there was no sign of anything. It's frightening that something like this can happen round here." Another woman said: "I won't let the children out on their own after this. You don't expect this sort of thing to happen in an area like this."

Det Supt Graham Gooch, who is leading the murder inquiry, said the killing was a "ruthless and random shooting" which could have resulted in the death of anybody in the house at the time.