Tributes to air crash couple

Neil and Helen Slater, from Scunthorpe, had been on holiday with Stephen Saunby, 41, and Susan Howell, also from Scunthorpe, for just over a week when they decided to take the ill-fated flight from Bangkok to the tourist resort of Phuket.

At least 89 people died when the budget One-Two-Go Airlines' flight crashed and burst into flames as it struggled to land in bad weather on Sunday evening.

Some 123 passengers, mostly foreigners, and seven crew were on board the flight, which is believed to have claimed the lives of eight British nationals.

Mr Slater, 43, who was also known as Harry, was a former landlord of the Dog & Rat in Broughton, North Lincolnshire and a well known publican in the area.

Helen's mother, Heather Spindley, and brother David Spindley, and Neil's parents, Edna and Noel Slater, paid tribute to the "spontaneous" couple. In a statement they said: "They have been together for nine years and got married in Thailand in August 2003. They are totally devoted to each other. They work together 24 hours a day and are a great team, they do everything together."

The couple had been in the pub trade for many years, most recently co-owning and managing the Yarborough Hotel in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

Neighbours of Miss Howell said they believed she may have been heading to Phuket to get married to Mr Saunby.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said three Britons remained in hospital, one in a critical condition following the crash on Sunday evening.

Earlier, a Foreign Office rapid deployment team arrived on the holiday island.