Shocked neighbours last night spoke about a former pilot and his wife who were killed on holiday in New Zealand.

Dennis Thomas, 71, and wife Sylvia, 69, from the East Broyle area of Chichester, died when their hire car collided with a tractor as they toured the South Island on Friday.

One neighbour told how Mr Thomas had served in the RAF and went on to fly for British Airways.

The man said: "I had known them for 22 years. They were an outgoing couple who also loved boating."

A close friend living nearby was too upset to talk about the couple.