Debt doubts voiced by friends of tragic family

Family friend Graeme Robson, 45, spoke after attending prayers in Oswestry for the McFall family and said Hugh McFall had been a doting father.

Susan McFall, 56, and 18-year-old daughter Francesca, known as Frankie, were found dead at their home in Hampton Road, Oswestry, on Friday morning.

The body of Mr McFall, 48, was found a few hours later at an industrial lock-up he rented in nearby St Martins.

It is thought the flower salesman killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life in what West Mercia Police are calling a "family tragedy".

Speaking outside the town's Parish Church of St Oswald, where special prayers were said before the usual service yesterday, Mr Robson dismissed rumours of financial problems that may have driven Mr McFall to kill his family.

He said he went out with Nicola Gillham, Mrs McFall's daughter from a previous marriage, for about three years until they broke up two years ago.

He said: "I lost my mum and my dad moved to Spain so they basically became my family.

"I was close to Sue, Frankie and Hugh. They were like my family for the best part of three years."

He said he had seen Frankie only last week when she had offered to buy him a drink last night to celebrate his birthday.

"She said, 'I'll see you on Saturday and buy you a drink'," Mr Robson – who turned 45 yesterday – said.

"I don't relate any of what has happened to Hugh as a father.

"He doted on Frankie beyond belief, she was a very clever girl, a very pretty girl.

"He would do anything for her. I think that's the hardest part.

"He was very close to Nicola his step-daughter as well. He was just a really, really genuine bloke."