Father and baby found dead at house

A father is thought to have killed his six-month-old son before hanging himself.

Taxi driver Paul McBride, 39, was found dead at his mother's house in Preston, Lancs, following a search on Wednesday.

His son, who has not been named, was found in a "very poorly" condition and taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Lancashire Police launched a murder investigation but is not looking for anybody else in connection with the incident.

Officers and family had been looking for the father, described by neighbours as "jolly" and "jokey", after concerns were raised about his welfare.

His sister found his body after arriving at their mother's home in Marl Hill Crescent, Ribbleton, shortly after 6pm. Their mother, Denise Betts, is thought to be on holiday in France.

The baby's mother, who was not married to Mr McBride, was being supported by trained police officers.

A post-mortem examination will take place to establish how her little boy died.

A police spokeswoman said detectives from the force's Major Investigation Team were leading the inquiry. The force said police had been made aware of concerns about Mr McBride's welfare.

Detective Superintendent Neil Esseen, who is leading the investigation, said it was an "incredibly tragic" case. "It is being treated as a murder inquiry, although we are not looking for anybody else in connection with this incident, he said. "We are still in the very early stages of this investigation, but we are conducting a number of inquiries in order to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths."