Post mortem examinations on dead mother and children

Post mortem examinations are being carried out on a mother and two young children found dead at a house in Gwynedd.

Officers forced entry at a cottage in Trawsfynydd at 2000 GMT on Sunday following reports from concerned relatives.

The bodies of the three, who been named locally as Melanie Stevens and her sons Philip and Isaac, were found.

Police said formal identification will not take place until Tuesday.

It is understood that officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

The coroner and next-of-kin have been informed.

It is believed Ms Stevens was originally from Blaenau Ffestiniog, a few miles away.

Neighbours and people in the village said she had moved to Trawsfynydd about 18 months ago from the Midlands.

Her three older children are thought to live with their father.

A neighbour of the dead woman told the Press Association the family had lived in the village for about 18 months.

A woman, who did not want to be named, described the victims as a "happy and pleasant" young family.

She said: "Obviously everybody in the village is shocked. But nobody knows yet what has happened.

"We can see the police going in and out of the house but nobody has said what happened to them.

"I didn't know her very well because she wasn't from the village and I don't think she had many family here.

"But you would see her in the street and she would always say hello.

The family had lived in the village for 18 months, neighbours said

"They were a very pleasant family and seemed very happy. It's a terribly sad thing."

Another neighbour, Emma Kelly, told BBC Wales: "She was a happy, smiling person. I'm totally shocked to hear what has happened."

The eldest little boy Philip is understood to have been aged about five and Isaac between 18 months and two years.

Head teacher Gwenan Williams of Ysgol Edmwnd Prys, Gellilydan said: "Philip was a very happy, popular boy who had made many friends at Ysgol Edmwnd Prys.

"One of his favourite activities was role play, and he had a very lively imagination.

'Terrible thing'

"He had learnt to speak Welsh confidently, and always had a smile and time to chat with everyone."

She added: "We were all very sad to hear this terrible news, and our sympathy goes out to all the family. Philip will be sadly missed at the school."

Gwynedd councillor Thomas Griffith Ellis said: "The death of a mother and young children is a terrible thing but at Christmas it is even more shocking.

"I didn't know the woman but she lived on the main street, next to the chapel, so I would see her coming and going to the shops.

"She always said 'hello' as she passed but never stopped to chat.

"I don't know what has happened, there's been no suggestion why such a terrible thing has happened to a family."