A murder investigation has been launched after a couple was found stabbed to death at a home in Blackburn.

Police were called to a terraced home on Monday where the man and woman were found with stab wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. 

Lancashire Police said the couple has not yet been formally identified and a post-mortem is set to take place in due course. 

Locals described them as an elderly couple who were members of a nearby mosque.

Police put a cordon in place and erected a forensics tent outside the front door of the property. 

Several back alleys have also been cordoned off while officers probe the suspected murder.

Police have said they do not believe there is a wider risk to the public.

Neighbours woke up to a large police presence with detectives carrying out door-to-door enquiries.

Emergency services at the scene in Blackburn, where an elderly couple were found stabbed to death in their home

One couple, who live in the next block of Hardman Street, said: ‘When we got up, just after 8am, we looked outside and it was all there then. It was a bit of a shock.’

Terence, who has lived in Hardman Street for ’30 years’, said police had allowed him inside his home after returning from work to discover a crime scene had been put in place.

He said: ‘It used to be quiet round here but it’s not anymore.’

Another resident said the couple who lived in the property were elderly and were members of the nearby mosque. He described them as ‘very private’.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Lancashire Constabulary said: ‘Lancashire Police have launched a murder investigation after two people were sadly found dead inside a house in Blackburn.

‘Our officers were called by the North-West Ambulance Service at 8.22am today to an address in Hardman Street, to a report two people had been found with stab injuries.

‘Very sadly, a man and woman were both pronounced deceased at the scene. Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this distressing time.

‘They have not yet been formally identified and a Home Office post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

The force said an increased police presence will remain in the area to conduct enquiries and provide reassurance.

They added: ‘Whilst this is a fast-moving investigation, we are at the early stages of establishing exactly what has occurred and why. Detectives are continuing to work to establish a motive for this tragic incident; however, we don’t believe there is a wider threat to the community.

‘In the meantime, if you saw or heard anything suspicious in the area over the last 24 hours, or have captured any CCTV, dashcam, mobile phone or doorbell footage that could help us with our enquiries, please make contact with our officers as soon as possible.’