A SECOND villager from Dunlop, in Ayrshire, has been found murdered in

the space of 48 hours.

The latest victim was named by police as Mrs Frances Pattison, 74, who

lived in Lugton Road with her son-in-law Mr Thomas Elder.

Mr Elder, 51, found his mother-in-law's body when he awoke yesterday

and immediately contacted police, who arrived at the cottage around

5.30am.

Less than 48 hours earlier Mr Hugh Hamilton, 26, of Aiket Road,

Dunlop, was found murdered in a car at the Royal Alexandra Infirmary,

Paisley.

Local residents have been shocked by the death of Mrs Pattison, who

moved to the village about five years ago along with Mr Elder's wife

Morag, who died last year. She was well known for her voluntary work in

the area.

Police are considering the possibility that someone may have broken

into the house and attacked Mrs Pattison.

Meanwhile, detectives have stepped up the hunt for the killers of Mr

Hamilton, who was last seen alive in the car park at Stewarton railway

station at 9am on Monday.

They are anxious to trace his movements between then and 3pm that

afternoon.