Carol Fisher's body was discovered on a path beside the bungalow

Carol and Graham Fisher were found shot dead at their bungalow next to their garage business at Winnard's Perch, on the A39 near Wadebridge, on Thursday morning.

Mrs Fisher, who was in her late 50s, was found on the path outside the bungalow, while Mr Fisher, who was in his 60s, was discovered inside the property.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Newberry, from Devon and Cornwall Police, who is leading the investigation, said he believed the couple were shot some time on Wednesday evening.

He said several shots were fired inside the couple's bungalow, and also outside where police believe Mrs Fisher was shot while trying to escape.

It is something you don't expect to have happen on your own doorstep Celia Dunford

He said people may have mistaken the sound for fireworks going off.

Mr Newberry appealed for anyone who used the A39 that night to come forward.

Police say the couple were shot at close range, but they are unsure whether the crime was committed by one person or more.

Post-mortem examinations are being carried out on the bodies on Friday afternoon.

Mr Newberry said it was too early to say if there had been a break-in prior to the killings.

The couple ran the garage business on the A39 together

"It is an horrific murder of two local business people trying to get on with their daily lives.

"At the moment there is no apparent motive, but naturally that forms part of our early lines of inquiry."

He said officers were trying to piece together what had happened at the garage during the 24-hour period before Mrs Fisher's body was found.

The main A39 road into Wadebridge is expected to remain closed until Friday afternoon and diversions are in place.

The Fishers, who did not have children, were said to be well-known in the local area.

'Really scary'

Celia and John Dunford, who have lived close to the Perch Garage for the past 15 years, said they were "shocked" at the killings.

"It is something you don't expect to have happen on your own doorstep. It is really scary to my mind," said Mrs Dunford.

Mr Dunford said the middle-aged couple who ran the petrol station, car repair and MoT centre "kept themselves to themselves".