The father of murdered children Harry and Elise Donnison spoke of his grief as their mother awaited questioning by police.

Harry, three, and his sister Elise, two, were found asphyxiated in bags in the boot of a car on Wednesday. Tests are being carried out to establish if they had been drugged.

Their mother, Fiona, was arrested on suspicion of their murder. She was still at Eastbourne District General Hospital today after slashing her wrists.

Paul Donnison, their father, said in a statement tonight: "Harry and Elise were the lights that shone the brightest in my life and I am unable to begin to comprehend why this has happened to them.

"I love them with all my heart and they in turn gave me the unconditional love that only a child can give a parent.

"Every day that I saw them was precious and wonderful but I had no idea just how precious.

"They were only babies and I was looking forward to watching them grow up and with their mum help them to live their lives.

"That their lives have been taken away in the most cruel way, I am unable to understand.

"I trust justice will be done. But there will be no justice for Harry and Elise and for all their family and friends whose lives they enriched so enormously.

"I will always love Harry and Elise and will never let a day go by without thinking of their beauty and the joy they gave to me in their short lives.

"At this point I would like to thank my family, friends and the police who have supported me these last few days.

"Without their love, support and comfort I don't know how I would have carried on.

"These last few days have and will continue to be a nightmare for all involved and I would ask that the privacy of Harry and Elise's family is respected to allow us to come to terms with this and allow us to grieve in peace.

"Sleep well little ones."