Former Birmingham footballer, 70, and father celebrating 30th wedding

Three more British victims of the Tunisian beach massacre have been confirmed as dead as the official British death toll rises to 19.

They are Denis and Elaine Thwaites, a couple from Blackpool, and Philip Heathcote from Felixstowe, Suffolk, whose wife Allison was being flown back to the UK tonight in a serious condition.

Mr Thwaites, 70, played for Birmingham Football Club before becoming a hospital porter. He and his 69-year-old wife arrived in Tunisia just 48 hours before the attack.

Philip Heathcote, 53, was on holiday with his wife Allison when the beach the gunman struck. The couple were due to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.

They are among 19 Britons confirmed to have died in the atrocious attack on Friday.

Mr and Mrs Thwaites's daughter, Lindsey, was forced to fly out to Tunisia on Saturday with her husband after being given no information from the Foreign Office on her parents' whereabouts.

The 39-year-old left a poignant handwritten tribute on a photo of the couple amid the growing sea of floral tributes to the dead being brought to the beach by devastated relatives.

‘You are our world and I loved you so very much. Rest in Peace Mum and Dad. Your loving daughter Lindsey and son-in-law Danny,' it read.

Reports initially suggested Mr and Mrs Thwaites, who were staying at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel, were in hospital in Sousse. But relatives later learned this information was wrong and began a frantic search using social media.

On Monday Birmingham FC, the club for which Mr Thwaites played, said it was 'shocked and saddened' by news of his death.

We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of former player Denis Thwaites and his wife Elaine in the Tunisian terrorist attack.

Our thoughts are with Denis' family. The club also offers its condolences to all who are mourning loved ones due to this atrocity."

Mrs Heathcote, 48, is in a medically induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery for multiple bullet wounds. Mr Heathcote worked in transport logistics.

The Heathcotes’ son, James, 24, and his uncle Jonty Boon, 37, Mrs Heathcote’s youngest brother, have flown out to Tunisia.

Simon Boon, Mr Heathcote's brother-in-law, said in a statement last night: ‘Philip Heathcote has now been identified and confirmed as one of those who sadly died as a result of the shooting.

‘Philip originally comes from Manchester and I am sure his family living there will want to pay their own tributes. The thoughts of our family go out to them all as we, together, grieve this awful loss.’

'For 30 years, Philip has shown my sister love, care and loyalty that was second to none.

'Philip was truly Allison's soulmate and they did everything together, sharing the same interests life offered.'

He added his sister, who was being flown in to the UK on an RAF aircraft last night, was 'stable' but that she will remain in hospital.

'I love Allison with all of my heart and would do anything for her, however here I am feeling helpless,' he added.

Tributes were also paid to former prison guard Stuart Cullen, 52, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, who is believed to have died instantly.

His wife Christine, 50, who was wounded, has returned to the UK to be comforted by relatives. Mrs Cullen is understood to have worked for many years as a travel agent for Thomas Cook. The couple had arrived in Tunisia the day before.

Mark Richards, landlord of Mr Cullen’s local pub, said he was a ‘real character, popular and really would do anything for anyone’.

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Chris Dyer, 32, was shot dead on the beach. His wife, Gina Von Dort, clutched on to his lifeless body as she lay, riddled with bullets.

She has been flown back to the UK to continue treatment. Also killed were Stuart Cullen and Stephen Mellor.

Last night relatives of murdered Bruce Wilkinson told of their devastation. The 72-year-old was sunbathing next to his wife Rita when the gunman struck.

A picture of the former Drax power station worker with his wife shows them in Tunisia two years ago. They enjoyed it so much they had returned.

Mr Wilkinson's family said: 'We are devastated at the loss of Bruce, who was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was fun-loving, and will be deeply missed.'

James and Ann McQuire were killed on the beach as they sunbathed side by side. They booked the trip just a fortnight ago and had excitedly told friends at church about it.

Mr McQuire, 66, a retired marine engineer, and his wife, a former GP's receptionist, were described as community stalwarts who would be 'dreadfully missed'. The couple, who leave a son Stuart, 32, had been due to return to Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, yesterday.

Prayers were said for them at Abronhill Parish Church, where the Rev Joyce Keyes said: 'Jim was an elder with the church and the captain of the Boys' Brigade and his loss must impact on the wider community.'

David Wharton, 53, their neighbour for 22 years, added: 'They were just the kindest, most genuinely nice neighbours you could possibly ask for.'

Grandmother-of-four Lisa Burbridge, 66, from Whickham, Gateshead, was killed on the tenth anniversary of her husband Bill's death.

Granddaughter Chloe Thompson wrote on Facebook: 'My angel, my best friend, love you always grandma, rest in peace.'

She leaves daughters Melanie Thompson, 45, and Louise Burbidge, 42. Her family said: 'We are devastated with the tragic loss of the most beautiful, amazing, caring and gentle person in our lives. We have been left with a massive hole in our hearts.'

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