THE mother of the three children apparently killed by their father spoke today of her devastation.

Ruth Fuller, mother of Sam, 12, and his sisters Becka, aged eight, and seven-year-old Charlotte, released a short statement through Gloucestershire Police.

Mrs Fuller said: "I don’t have the words to describe how I feel at the moment. All I would ask is that I be left alone to grieve for my family."

The bodies of the three children were discovered yesterday at a beauty spot near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. It is believed they died from knife wounds.

The body of their father Ceri Fuller, 35, who studied at Huddersfield University, was found nearby at the Poles Coppice on Pontesbury Hill. He is thought to have fallen from a cliff.

West Mercia Police have recovered a knife and one line of inquiry detectives are following is that Mr Fuller killed the children before taking his own life.

The force launched a murder investigation but described the deaths as a "tragic family situation" and are not looking for anyone else.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who is leading the investigation, said: "I can disclose that a weapon has been recovered from the scene.

"Officers involved in the search found a knife in the vicinity of where the bodies were found.

"It will now be forensically examined.

"One line of inquiry being considered is that the father took the children’s lives before taking his own."

Mr Jamieson said the old quarry and surrounding woodland would remain cordoned off as officers continue a detailed search of the area.

Post-mortem examinations will be conducted this afternoon by a Home Office pathologist and may not be concluded until tomorrow, the detective confirmed.

Police are appealing for information about possible sightings of the vehicle and its four occupants on Thursday.

Mr Jamieson said: "We believe this vehicle left Gloucestershire at some point last Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning and we are anxious to establish its movements since then, especially in the Pontesbury area.

"We believe it was in the Leominster area at around midday on Thursday before making its way up towards Welshpool later that day."

He said several people have already come forward with helpful information that would help police track the vehicle’s movements.

"This is in response to our appeals and we are grateful for their assistance," he said.

"However, I am still urging people to call Shrewsbury police station on 101 or our other number, 0300 333 3000, with any details which could help the investigation."

While police work continues in Shropshire, a team of West Mercia detectives have travelled to Gloucestershire to make further inquiries, including speaking to family members.

"We are working very closely with our colleagues in Gloucestershire to try to establish the full circumstances leading up to this tragedy," Mr Jamieson added.

Officers found the bodies of the Fuller children shortly before 10am yesterday. The family Land Rover Freelander was discovered nearby.