Spalding shooting victims named locally as Claire, Charlotte and Lance Hart

Neighbours told how police swooped on the family’s smart detached £280,000 four-bed house in Moulton around 10am – an hour after they were shot.

Officers have since been raiding the property where Claire and Lance Hart lived with Charlotte, and sons Ryan (25) and Luke (26) for the last seven years.

A neighbour known only as Peter, described Lance, who is understood to have worked at a nearby builders’ merchants, as “the nicest guy you could ever meet” and said he “would do anything for anyone”.

Another neighbour described the Harts, who are believed to have got married in 1990, as the “loveliest couple ever”.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “They were an absolutely lovely family.

“They were the loveliest couple ever. We don’t know them well but wave to them when we see them.

“I can’t imagine why they have raided that house. They had three kids, two boys and a girl.”

“The house is up for sale but I can’t imagine they would have left without saying goodbye.”

It is understood Charlotte was studying at the University of Northampton but was home for the summer holidays.

A close neighbour said: “She was really nice and friendly.”

A former neighbour of Lance Hart’s parents, Raymond and Daphne Hart, said: “He was a friendly guy, I wouldn’t have a bad word to say about him, but I knew him decades ago.”

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “We were about the same age, his children went to the same school as mine here in Wisbech St Mary.

“I remember their children (Lance and Claire’s) were very gifted and talented. They were very clever, I would say above average at things they did.”

Speaking of Lance, the man said: “He was very inoffensive, kept himself to himself like most people around here.”