DETECTIVES were this week waiting to question a man who has been arrested in hospital on suspicion of murdering two Barnstaple women.

As tributes continued to be made to victims Donna St John and Debbie Jones, both 35, the only suspect remained under police guard at North Devon District Hospital.

Neil Langmead, 40, a builder, from Convent Close, Newport, Barnstaple, was said to be conscious and in a stable condition.

He was arrested in the hospital on Tuesday, nine days after he was admitted.

Police would wait until doctors agreed Mr Langmead was well enough to be interviewed, a spokesman said.

The full details of what exactly happened have yet to be revealed, although some information has emerged.

The women had been socialising together and with others in pubs and the Toko nightclub in Barnstaple from about 10pm on Saturday, August 21.

They then returned to Ms Jones's house in Fort Mead Close, with an unidentified man, between 2am and 3am.

At 9am a neighbour's carer called the fire service when smoke was seen pouring from Ms Jones's bedroom window.

Firefighters found the bodies of the two women in the kitchen and Mr Langmead was discovered, seriously injured, in the back garden.

It is thought all three had suffered stab wounds although the causes of death have yet to be confirmed. Mr Langmead was also said to have sustained injuries in the fire.

The fire was contained to an upstairs bedroom and firefighters quickly brought it under control. The house was not severely damaged by the blaze. Post mortem examinations were carried out last week but the results have not been revealed.

An inquest had not been opened by the time the Journal went to press.

Police officers were out among pub and club-goers in Barnstaple at the weekend, trying to find any information about the women's final hours.

A police major incident room was opened in Barnstaple and 50 officers were working on the investigation, including detectives from the major crime investigation team.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Mike West said: "I am very pleased with the assistance and information we have had from the local community in relation to this tragic incident, and to the additional response following the deployment of local officers in and around the town centre on Saturday night".

● Anyone with any information, including witnesses who might have seen the victims on the night they died, are asked to phone the police on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.