Fares Bash, aged seven, Joury Bash, aged three, and Mohammed Bash, aged nine months, died of stab wounds at their home in the Sea Mills area of Bristol on 18 February.

A 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and detained under the Mental Health Act.

The inquest into the children's deaths opened at the Avon Coroner's Court on Tuesday.

Besides knife wounds to the chest and neck, Fares Bash also showed possible signs of asphyxia.

The coroner, Dr Peter Harrowing, adjourned the inquest while detectives continued their investigation.

He said: "Because there are ongoing police investigations, I will adjourn the inquest pending the outcome."

The inquest opening was attended by the children's father, Alfil Bash.

Father devastated

Speaking outside the hearing, he cried as he spoke of his devastation at the loss of his children and said he could not get his head around what had happened.

Mr Bash described his oldest son as a "genius boy" who loved football, singing and maths.

In late February hundreds of people attended a vigil in memory of the three children.

"The deaths of such young children is a great shock to the whole community, and this incident has had a profound impact on all of us in the police," Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said at the time the bodies were found.

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She praised the community's "humbling" response to the tragedy, saying: "At a time of great sadness and disbelief, we've seen spontaneous acts of care and support.

"Within hours of the incident occurring, a local church was opened up for people to gather and mourn. This is what being in a community is all about and we'd like to thank all those who continue to offer this important and selfless service."

Following the incident, Avon and Somerset Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over prior contact but the watchdog said no investigation was required.