FRIENDS, associates and colleagues have spoken of their high regard for Mohammed and Bilquis Karim, who were killed as they worked in their jewellers shop in Church Street, Preston.

The were described as doting, caring and a couple who would do anything to help out a friends.

When neighbours read about the tragedy on Teletext on Friday, they rushed to the murder scene in Preston in the hope it wasn't true. One neighbour Ibrahim Talah said: "This is a tragedy. Tony was a good man who was very honest."

News of the killings swept through Preston's close-knit Asian community within minutes.

Friend Mohammed Bashir said he shook in shock when he heard what had happened. He said: "It is terrible and no one can understand why it has happened."

Another neighbour said: "This will destroy the family. They were so happy and caring."

Ashiq Mohammed, from the Kismet Indian, opposite the jeweller's shop in Church Street, said: "Everyone around here knew him. We are just so shocked."

And Brian Atkinson, licensee at Barney's bar, next door to the murder scene, said: "I used to talk to him every day. He is a lovely man.

"Both of them were so well-known."

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