Search for lodger after two women murdered in Southport

Police want to trace Barry Morrow, 51, who lodged in the house

A lodger is being hunted by police after two women were murdered at a house on Merseyside.

The bodies of Angela Holgate, 54, and Alice Huyton, 75, were found in Fairhaven Road, Marshside, Southport, at about 17:45 GMT on Saturday.

Earlier police had appealed for help in tracing a man who lodged at the house, which belonged to Ms Holgate.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said officers wanted to trace Barry Morrow, 51, who may be in France or Spain.

Police were initially treating the deaths as suspicious but launched a murder inquiry following post-mortem examinations on the women.

They are also trying to find Ms Holgate's white Citroen car - registration number PN11 RWK - which was missing from the house's drive.

Mr Morrow is described as white, 5ft 7in (1.7m), of a medium to stocky build, with straight, short brown, receding hair and blue eyes.

Police believe that he may have travelled from Dover to Calais on Saturday evening and that he has connections in Spain.

'Tragic deaths'

Officers were called to the house by Ms Holgate's son-in-law, who had found the bodies.

Ms Holgate is believed to have last been seen on 26 November.

Mrs Huyton had not been seen since Friday evening when she went to check on her daughter who had been ill.

Mrs Huyton's husband, who is in his 80s, is said to be devastated at the news of the deaths.

Neighbours said Ms Holgate had lived in the house for about 20 years

Ch Supt Nikki Holland said: "We are investigating the tragic deaths of these two women and our sympathy goes to their families.

"Detectives are investigating the circumstances around these deaths and are trying to piece together the women's last movements.

"We are appealing to anyone with any information that may help us with this investigation to come forward as soon as possible.

"In particular we are keen to trace Mr Morrow, who lived at the house for a period of time and who we believe may have vital information for this investigation."

'A lovely woman'

Neighbours said Ms Holgate, who sold Avon products, had lived in the house for about 20 years.

A neighbour said: "It's a pretty well-to-do area around here so we don't get much police activity at all.

"I saw that there was a man coming and going from the house recently, doing the front garden, but I never knew he lived there.

"Angela and her daughters were always pleasant. She seemed like a lovely woman and they were a lovely family."

Forensic experts are examining the house and officers are carrying out house-to-house inquiries.