Relatives of the couple at the centre of a double death tragedy have spoken of the pair’s devotion to their family.

Speaking through the police, they said Nigel and Judith Maude would be sadly missed.

Neighbours said the couple ‘lived for their grandchildren and were always together’.

Mr Maude’s body was found on the railway line in Hoghton on Sunday and, hours later, his wife’s body was found in the bedroom of their house in nearby Charles Crescent.

She suffered ‘multiple injuries’ including stabs wounds, police said.

Officers launched a murder investigation into Mrs Maude’s death but said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the inquiry.

The family statement, describing the couple as ‘being devoted to their family’ and said they would be ‘sadly missed’.

Mrs Maude, 57, was found dead by police at 8.35pm on Sunday during their inquiries about her husband’s death.

The body of Mr Maude, 58, had been found at 10.55am on the track which crosses Chapel Lane, close to Hoghton Tower, having been hit by a train. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Floral tributes had been left outside the couple’s semi-detached home where police remained on guard yesterday afternoon.

One said: “Such a sad loss of lovely neighbour, rest in peace.”

Another message said: “Good night, God bless, Judith we will miss you forever.”

Mr and Mrs Maude leave behind two daughters, Vicki and Michelle, and four grandchildren, three boys and a girl.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, was at a party on Saturday with Vicki and said there were no clues of what was to follow.

He said: “She seemed oblivious to it all and she had no idea what was going on at her parents’ house.

“I was really shocked when I read about it because there were no signs at all from her.”

Neighbours watched from their houses on Monday as police entered the property and and searched the house after Mrs Maude’s body was taken away.

A neighbour said: “It’s so sad because they seemed like nice neighbours.

“Nobody here understands why this would have happened.”