THE BROTHER of the 51-year-old man shot dead in Chippenham on Monday morning has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.

Kashmira Singh, 42, was arrested at Bristol Royal Infirmary by officers investigating the death of 51-year-old Sawa Singh.

The arrested man was last night described as being in a serious but improving condition after an operation on gunshot wounds sustained during Monday's shooting.

His wife, Dialo Kaur, 38, is meanwhile described as being in a "very critical" condition after an operation on her own gunshot wounds at Bath's Royal United Hospital.

Sawa Singh, known locally as Charlie, was found dead in his home at 15, The Causeway, at just after 5.30am on Monday.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Chief Superintendent Gary Chatfield, said at a press conference on Monday that 12 people had been living in the house at the time of the shooting.

Among those in the house at the time the shots were fired were five children aged 15 and under.

"This is a murder inquiry," said DCS Chatfield, who ruled out any possibility that the incident was racially motivated, and said the Asian community need not feel threatened.

Meanwhile, the painstaking investigation into Sawa Singh's murder is set to continue over the next few weeks.

"The house is being manned 24 hours day and our witnesses are largely family members and close friends," DCS Chatfield said on Monday.

"The house is still sealed off and forensic experts are continuing to look at blood stains, video, everything and take DNA samples.

"The process is expected to take at least another couple of days."

The Causeway, one of the main entrances into Chippenham, was closed until 3pm on Monday, while police waited for a Home Office pathologist and forensic experts to arrive.

The town descended into traffic chaos as cars were diverted around it.