THE family of a Thame man stabbed to death in a blazing bungalow in Northamptonshire on Wednesday described him as "a gentle man with a kind and generous spirit".

Richard Flippance, 44, was found in the house in Brampton Ash, near Market Harborough, in the early hours of Sunday with Fiona Marshall the sister of one of the country's richest men, the Carphone Warehouse magnate David Ross.

Mrs Marshall's estranged husband, Alex Marshall, 36, has been charged with murder. Mr Marshall, of Rushden, will appear before a crown court on July 11.

It is not known how Mr Flippance, who lived in of Roundhead Drive, Thame, and 41-year-old Mrs Marshall knew each other.

A post-mortem examination showed both had died from stab wounds.

Mr Flippance's family said in a statement: "We have been devastated by Richard's untimely death."

The body of Mr Flippance was found in the bungalow as crews of firefighters tackled the flames.

It is believed Mrs Marshall moved into the bungalow after her millionaire brother bought the property and surrounding farmland.