Two brothers, aged 3 and 7, died this morning at their home in Mutilva Alta (photo), near Pamplona (Navarra) after taking medicine given to them by their mother, who then tried unsuccessfully to take her own life.

The woman's two elder children, aged 12 and 14, were also apparently poisoned and have been taken to the Virgen del Camino Hospital, where they are said to be out of danger.

The woman, who is 40 years old, is separated from her husband and has been receiving pysochological counselling.

It is not clear how she tried to kill herself though there are reports that she suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.

She was taken to Navarra Hospital, where she is under arrest accused of two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

The children's father has been informed, and is being treated for shock at the same hospital where his two surviving children were taken.