TRIBUTES were last night paid to two “lovely children” from Runcorn, who were gassed to death by their father in a car in North Wales.

Karate expert Brian Philcox, 52, and his two children, Amy, seven, and Owen, three, from Windmill Hill, in Runcorn, were found dead on Sunday in the picturesque Conwy Valley.

A post mortem confirmed they had died from carbon monoxide poisoning, and yesterday neighbours and friends expressed their shock and sympathy for the children’s mother Evelyn, known as Lyn.

Last night, officers confirmed Mr Philcox and his estranged wife were in the middle of a contested divorce battle.

Lobby group Fathers 4 Justice also confirmed they had been contacted by Mr Philcox several times, but he did not join the group.

On Saturday evening, Cheshire police were alerted to a bomb scare at the Philcox family home, on Lockgate East, and local residents were evacuated while the suspect package – which turned out to be a hoax – was examined by Army bomb disposal experts. And yesterday a second package was sent to another family member and was being assessed last night.

A police guard was present outside the Philcox house for the whole of yesterday.

Police are treating the deaths as suspicious, but have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with their inquiry. A neighbour who only wanted to be identified as Les said his children, aged seven and eight, used to play with little Amy and Owen: “They all used to play on the same field and were so happy, it is dreadful.

“I saw Lyn yesterday at 9am but not since.

“She will be devastated, they were lovely kids, they played football with my two. What kind of person would do this and put Lyn through all this pain?

“My children were in the house in the bath during the bomb scare and it was a nasty experience for them – how do I explain this to the babies?

“It is so sad, as a couple they were going through a bad time but this is unbelievable, my heart goes out to the family.”

Helen McGrath, barmaid in the Windmill pub, where residents were evacuated to after the bomb scare, said: “We were told he had left a bomb in the house and everyone was sent to the pub.

“It is so horrible, what a selfish man, no one around here can believe it, people are in shock and also very sad.

“Everybody has been saying how lovely the children were and it is horrible to have this on your doorstep. Nobody can take it in.”

Outside the family home on Lockgate East, friends and family had laid flowers, cards and teddy bears to pay tribute.

One message from family friends read: “No words can express the sympathy or ease the pain of the loss of your little angels.

“They will be missed but they will always remain in our hearts. Sharon, Iain, Jack, Megan and Michael Hunter.”

Jack added his own personal message: “To my friend, I will miss you loads love Jack.”

Another message from a neighbour added: “Good night little angels – so sorry, No. 48.”

A childhood friend of Amy and Owen had drawn a picture of the family as a goodbye.

Liz Murdoch, headteacher at Windmill Hill Primary School, where the children were pupils, said: “Everyone at the school and nursery is devastated at this tragedy. They were both delightful children who will be very much missed.

“We informed the children at school this morning in their classes.

“We are liaising very closely with the children’s mum, and will talk to her about the possibility of any tribute we may make as a school.

“The police Family Liaison Officer is supporting mum, and the Critical Incident Team from Halton Borough Council's Children & Young People directorate is in school to support the staff and pupils.”