A TAXI driver was arrested on suspicion of murder after two elderly women were found dead in their Merseyside homes.

The bodies of widows Margaret Biddulph and Annie Leyland were discovered at two addresses just a quarter of a mile apart in Southport after private hire driver Andrew Flood, 43, volunteered himself to police.

Flood, who works for the town’s All White Taxis firm, was questioned by detectives on Wednesday after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

The Post understands both the women, who each lived alone, died after being burgled.

Mrs Biddulph, 78, a retired factory worker, was found at her home in Lonsdale Road on Tuesday night.

Mrs Leyland, who was in her 80s, was discovered hours later at her semi-detached home in Birch Street.

It remained unclear as the Post went to press exactly when they were killed.

Flood went to Southport police station to speak to officers on Monday evening.

Shocked neighbours paid tributes to both women, who were said to be extremely private.

Mrs Biddulph was said to have lived in Lonsdale Road for more than three decades.

Described as “houseproud”, neighbours she had renovations completed at her home just before she died.

Olive Gain, of Lonsdale Road, said she would catch the bus with Mrs Biddulph. She added: “We knew her well and she always seemed to be a nice lady. We will miss her.”

Malcolm Macphail, who lived next door to Mrs Leyland in Birch Street, said: “She was a very private and independent person – she kept herself to herself.