Their father Robert was taken to Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline where his condition is described today as “stable”.

The nature of his injuries have not yet been disclosed, but the lorry driver for Leven firm Cook’s is not yet in a “fit state” to be interviewed.

Ryan, a pupil at Buckhaven Primary School and Michelle, who suffered from severe learning difficulties, are understood to have been in the care of their father on a temporary basis, while their mother June had recently moved to a separate address. She made the gruesome discovery when she called to the house at around 7.10pm on Saturday.

The Tele understands Robert and June had been experiencing marriage problems.

A close family friend told the Tele, “They had recently separated and she moved away to try and find a new place to live, but came back as she missed the children so much.”

Another family friend said the couple had been married for around 28 years.

“I was at their silver wedding anniversary party a few years ago,” she said.

But she added that the couple were currently going through a “messy divorce”, and that Mr Thomson was under a police investigation.

She added that Mr Thomson kept samurai swords and guns in the house. However, a Fife police source said Michelle and Ryan had not been shot and categorically denied that samurai swords had been involved.

Detective Superintendent Alistair McKeen, who is leading the double-murder inquiry, said no-one has been charged.

He added, “We are obviously very keen to speak to Mr Thomson about the death of his two children and are awaiting the go-ahead from consultants at the hospital who will decide when he is fit enough to be interviewed.”

Describing the murders as “a very serious attack on two very vulnerable individuals,” he added, “This was a particularly distressing and traumatic scene to witness for the paramedics and officers involved.

“It was a harrowing scene which has touched many officers in such a way that we are making sure they are being adequately supported. In my career I have not come close to a murder investigation of the dimensions of this kind.

“A full forensic investigation is now under way and we are interviewing a number of people who were at or near the house at the time.

“A post mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of deaths and establish when the attacks took place.

“Investigations are still at a very early stage and we are keeping a very open mind.

“We are looking at the Thomson’s family history very closely and are asking for anyone who may know the family or anyone who was in the vicinity at the time the incident took place to get in touch.”

Information

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Fife police on 01592 251111.

He added that Mr and Mrs Thomson’s 20 year old son Ross, who is believed to have been in the house when his siblings where murdered, had been interviewed.

Mr and Mrs Thomson’s fourth child Sean (24), who lives in Essex, travelled to Fife yesterday to be with his mother and brother.