MEMBERS of the community have already begun to rally round to help support Magdelana Stapleton and her four children.

A collection box has been placed at the counter in the Co-op store at the Buckskin Centre, in Buckskin, Basingstoke, for residents to give donations to the Stapleton family.

Neighbours have spoken of their shock and sadness that such an attack could happen in such a close-knit community.

Borough ward councillor David Potter said he had met Miss Stapleton at one of his surgeries.

"There is a sense of shock and sadness in the community but I believe people will rally round and do all they can to support her and her family," he said.

Borough mayor Cllr Tony Jones, who is also a ward councillor for Buckskin, expressed his shock and concern about the incident.

Neighbour Justin Wells, 36, who lives a few doors down from Miss Stapleton's home in Charnwood Close, said he had seen the children playing outside but didn't really know the family.

"It's a shock that it's happened on my doorstep, but these things can happen anywhere," he added.

Caroline Ashman, 21, a mother-of-two who lives in nearby Mendip Close, said: "I found out when I went to the shops in the evening. It was after dark and I was afraid of going home.

"It's worrying when something like this happens on your doorstep."