Mourners arrive at St Oswalds Church in Oswestry

Hundreds of people gathered today to give thanks for the lives of a Shropshire mother and daughter killed in a family tragedy.

Teenager Frankie McFall and her mother Susan died at their home in Hampton Road, Oswestry, in the early hours of February 5.

A few hours later the body of Hugh McFall was found in an industrial unit in St Martins.

It is believed Mr McFall, 48, killed his 55-year-old wife and 18-year-old daughter before driving to his business premises and taking his own life.

The family of Mrs McFall and her daughter, who organised the thanksgiving service as a celebration of the lives of the two women, arrived early for the event. The Church of St Oswald, King and Martyr, in Church Street, Oswestry, which was packed for the service was closed off from 11am to anybody not attending.

Mourners arrived at the church in a steady stream, with many of them in black, and others taking up an invitation from the family to wear colourful clothes. Several students from Oswestry School arrived in their uniforms, accompanied by staff and governors.

A statement released by Mrs McFall’s older children Daniel and Nicola Gillham today said: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to our family, friends and the local community for their love and support over the past few weeks.

“We will never be able to explain how sad we feel to have lost our inspirational mum and precious sister. We love them very much, we will treasure them and the memories they have left with us forever.”

The vicar of St Oswald’s, the Rev Simon Thorburn, said there were believed to be just short of 700 people in the church. In lieu of flowers those at the service were asked to give donations to Hope House Hospice, a charity that Mrs McFall supported.

West Mercia Police is preparing a report for John Ellery, the coroner for Mid and North Shropshire, but stressed that inquiries will take several months to complete.

It was announced today that a service of remembrance for Mr McFall will be held at St John’s Parish Church, Weston Rhyn, on Friday.

By Sue Austin