UK murder hunt launched as two bodies found

LONDON, July 2 (Reuters) British police launched a murder inquiry today after the bodies of two women were found in a building in Shropshire, a spokesman said.

The women, who had suffered ''significant head injuries'', were found on the floor of a health studio early today in the town of Shrewsbury.

Detective Superintendent Andy Rowsell, leading the inquiry, said he was investigating claims from local people that the shop was being used as a brothel.

''That has featured as a line of inquiry, possibly it was being used as a massage parlour,'' he told reporters without giving any more details about the attacks.

The victims, one aged about 40 and the other in her 20s, have yet to be identified. Post mortems will be carried out later today or tomorrow.

Police sealed off part of the town while forensics officers searched the area for evidence inside a temporary tent. Police appealed for witnesses.

REUTERS SHB BST2212