A mother and her two sons who were found dead inside a house have been named.

Nadja De Jager, 47, and her two sons Alexander, nine, and seven-year-old Maximus were discovered by police at around 11.50am on Thursday.

Officers were called to Mayfield Road in Belvedere, near the Europa Estate in Erith, to concerns for people at the home.

It was reported on Saturday morning that the youngsters had been strangled or suffocated.

The next of kin have been informed as police try to get to the bottom of the "tragic incident".

Detective Inspector Ollie Stride said: “This is a deeply sad case and we are continuing to establish the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.

“I would like to thank the local community for their cooperation while our officers go about their inquiries.

“Our thoughts today are very much with the family as they struggle to come to terms with their loss and we ask that their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.”

Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended the scene on Thursday and police forced entry to the address.

Nadja, Alexander and Maximus were found inside and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Met's Specialist Crime Command is leading the investigation and detectives are currently not seeking anyone in connection with the deaths.