Police are investigating after two young women were found dead at a house.

The bodies of Rachel Clayton, 34, and Emma Speed, 30, were discovered at the terraced property on Crompton Road, Macclesfield, where Rachel lived.

It is unclear how the pair died and post-mortem examinations are ongoing.

Investigations are being led by Cheshire Police’s major investigation team, which confirmed that nobody else is wanted in connection with the deaths.

Neighbours said six police cars, two ambulances and a fire engine attended the scene.

Emergency gas engineers from National Grid were also called to the property at 8.45pm on Sunday by police. No gas was found to be escaping after tests of the gas supply inside and outside the property.

The family of Emma Speed, who lived on Davies Street, Macclesfield, have paid tribute, describing her as ‘much-loved’.

They said: “Emma had a good heart and would do anything for anyone. The family would like time to grieve privately at this sad time.”

Rachel had worked as a chef on an oil rig in the North Sea for seven years. She was believed to have been halfway through a three-week holiday.

Rachel’s parents, Malcolm and Susan, of Poynton, were last night too upset to talk.

Sue Taylor, who runs the Bargain Booze on nearby Chester Road, said Rachel was a regular customer at the store.

She said: “She was a lovely girl, very bubbly and nice to talk to. We were talking about her work on the rigs last week.

“She described it as hard work and very cold, especially recently. It is so sad.”

She is believed to have lived at the house for several years.

It is understood the bodies were found by a man known to both women who had a spare key to the house.

Forensic officers spent most of Monday and Tuesday at the house.

Neighbour Anne-Marie Pearson said: “There were lots of police, an ambulance and fire engine.

“The road was blocked off at either end to stop traffic getting in and out. An officer was walking door to door asking everyone to stay inside.”

April Bennett, 28, who lives nearby with her nine-month-old son, Leo, added: “It was scary because of the amount of police about.

“We were told to stay in doors and were asked if we had seen anything suspicious. Having no idea what had happened was terrifying, especially with such a young baby in the house.”

Neighbour Jennifer Hurst, 32, of Crompton Road, said: “I knew Rachel to say hello to every now and again and she just seemed like a very happy, cheerful person.

“It’s so sad.”