Two shop workers who were in a relationship were stabbed to death in one of Britain's busiest shopping streets as they left a night shift this morning.

Matalan employees Zoe Morgan, a 21-year-old window dresser, and shop assistant Lee Simmons, 34, were attacked and killed as they left the store in Cardiff's Queen Street.

A colleague said: 'This is a terrible tragedy. They had only started seeing each other and made a lovely couple. We are all in bits.'

The farmhouse home of 20-year-old hotel worker Andrew Saunders was today searched by police investigating the deaths.

Zoe Morgan and Lee Simmons were stabbed to death this morning as they left a night shift

The farmhouse home of 20-year-old hotel worker Andrew Saunders (pictured) was today searched by police investigating the deaths

Lee recently posted a picture of Zoe on Facebook with the message 'my real life tinkerbell'

The couple worked at this Matalan store in Cardiff city centre, where they met this summer

Sales assistant Lee and fashion graduate Zoe met while working shifts together - and he dubbed her his 'Tinkerbell'.

But they pair were attacked at 5.50am as they left the store, which is Matalan's first high street branch in Britain.

Police officers flooded Cardiff's main Queen Street at around 6am after the couple were found dead outside high street stores Boots and Matalan.

The city centre street was cordoned off by uniformed officers and dozens of businesses were forced to close.

Heartbroken colleagues said the couple had been together for less than four months after striking up a romance while working.

Zoe, who lived with her parents Mark, 49, and Julie, 48, had studied fashion at the University of South Wales before landing the job as a visual merchandiser at the Matalan store in June.

The family had just returned for a holiday in Ibiza. A neighbour said: 'She had her whole life in front of her - she was full of fun. Her parents will be in a terrible state because they doted on her.'

Colleagues said the couple only got together four months ago and were very happy together

Zoe worked as a window dresser after graduating in fashion. Lee was a shop assistant

Another neighbour added: 'She was so excited about starting work and everything was going so well for her.

'Zoe went off to work as normal but never came home. She was a beautiful girl and this is terrible.'

Lee, of Grangetown, Cardiff, has worked at the store since it opened in October 2014.

The pair are said to have begun dating in July and were described as 'being in the first flush of romance'.

Lee was a sales assistant who was working the overnight shift to prepare the shop for customers.

He lived with his widowed mother Thelma, 68, who is today being comforted by friends and police liaison officers.

Police at the scene in Cardiff's Queen Street today after a reported double stabbing

Flowers have been left outside the story and colleagues are said to be 'in bits'

Police have today been searching the rural home of 20-year-old Andrew Saunders

Matalan Chief Executive Jason Hargreaves said: 'It is with great sadness that we can confirm that there was a fatal stabbing in Queen Street, Cardiff, this morning.

'Police discovered the bodies of a man and a woman outside the premises at 6am.

'Both of the victims worked at our Cardiff branch so understandably all of our colleagues are receiving our full support.'

South Wales Chief Superintendent Belinda Davies, said: 'This incident occurred in the main shopping area in the heart of the city in rush hour and it has no doubt shocked the community of Cardiff.

'We are in the very early stages of the investigation but I would like to add that at this stage we believe... it was not a random assault.

'I would like to dispel speculation circulating as to the motive behind this tragic incident and make it clear that this is not being linked to terrorism, and any links to the homeless community are unfounded.'

Witnesses said dozens of police cars arrived at the scene shortly before 6am

A man and woman were found dead in Queen Street, one the city's main shopping streets

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: 'We had a call at approximately 5.50am to an incident in the Queen Street area of Cardiff.

'We sent a paramedic in a rapid response car, three emergency ambulances and the Trust's Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.'

Cardiff Queen Street is a half-mile long street and visited by tens and thousands of shoppers every day.