Farmer is quizzed by police after man is shot dead and another seriously injured following suspected burglary at remote Peak District farmhouse

A farmer was being quizzed by police tonight after a man was shot dead and another seriously injured following a suspected burglary.

Officers were called to reports of a break-in at a remote Peak District farmhouse early this morning.

They found a man with fatal injuries inside the property and another seriously hurt in the road outside around 1.20am. Both had been shot.

Officers cordoned off a large section of a country lane, in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, and launched a murder investigation.

The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment and arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. A third suspect was also arrested on suspicion of the same offence this afternoon after being stopped by police in a vehicle on the A6, near Chapel-en-le-frith.

A fourth man was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in police custody and was named locally but the Mail is not identifying him.

Neighbours said the incident appeared to have been a 'burglary that went wrong.'

A woman, who lives close the farm, said: 'The farm is in a remote location, quite deep in the valley and set back from the main road.

'I suspect it was an opportunistic burglary that has gone wrong.'

Another local said: 'This is a small community, everyone knows everyone around here.'

Another woman added: 'Obviously, it's shocking when something like this happens on your doorstep. I've had people ringing me asking if I'm okay. This is normally a sleepy, little town.'

Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby, of Derbyshire police, said he believed the incident was a 'targeted attack' and there was no wider risk to the public.

'We appreciate the impact this incident is having on this small rural community and we'd like to thank local residents for their help with this investigation so far,' he said.

'We are aware there has been some speculation locally around this and, while we are in the early stages of the investigation, we believe this is a targeted incident. At this stage we don't believe there is any wider risk to the public.

'Residents in the area will see an increased police presence in the area for some time as investigations continue and we will provide further updates as soon as we are able.

'In the meantime, I'd ask anyone who has any information to please contact us, in confidence.'