THE family of the North-East couple who died in the Jordan bus crash on Thursday led the tributes last night.

Richard and Angela Fothergill's three daughters, Alison Atkinson, Celia Kellett and Rosie Hetherington, expressed their deep shock at their parents' death.

In a statement they said: ''How can a few words express our sense of loss and shock at this time?

''Our parents have been a source of constant love, support and encouragement throughout our lives. At the moment it is too difficult to imagine a future without them.

''However, we don't want them to be remembered for their tragic death, but for the life that they lived.

''Although scattered by distance, it has never stopped us being close sharing every success, failure, triumph and tragedy with one another.

''As their children, we were in no doubt that they were always there, listening and caring, if not in body, on the phone and in prayer.''

One daughter said: ''They were a true couple and we take comfort that they were together when they died."

The Fothergills had been married more than 40 years and were committed Christians involved in the Holy Trinity Church, in Gosforth, Newcastle.

Mr Fothergill was a school governor and retired education consultant and, as director of the Micro Electronics in Education Programme, he pioneered the introduction of computers in schools during the 1980s.

His wife, a retired nurse, led a voluntary group for elderly widows at the doctors' surgery where she used to work.

Ros Johnson, administrator at Holy Trinity Church and a long- time friend of the Fothergills, said she was shocked by the tragedy.

The 59-year-old from Gosforth said: "They were a lovely couple. I just don't know what to say, they were terrific.

"They were very strong Christians, they had a deep faith."

Ronald Eunson, chairman of governors at Broadway East First School and Gosforth Central Middle School, said: "Richard Fothergill was a very experienced, caring and committed governor and the schools where he served will be deeply shocked and saddened by these tragic events."

Mr and Mrs Fothergill leave three daughters, three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren. The family has asked to be left alone to grieve.

Former minister, the Reverend Graham Haslam, is understood to have been on the bus, with his wife, Margaret. The couple live in York.

Friend Bob Lawrence said: "He had organised about five of these trips before, every year he would do one.

"He had retired but was still very active in the community. He had gone out there with his wife."

It is understood an elderly couple from the outskirts of York were killed, having cancelled the trip last year because of the problems in the Gulf. The retired couple, who have not been named, have two grown-up daughters and were frequent travellers.

A neighbour said: "They were a very well respected couple and were popular in the neighbourhood."

Tour guide Ramzy Samawi, 36, was left with broken legs and bruises. He was said to be slipping in and out of consciousness. He told a relative: "It happened so quickly."

His uncle, Samir Samawi, said: "Ramzy is in a lot of pain and great shock and is slipping in and out of consciousness. He said there was screaming and shouting - it was like Hell."

Methodist minister the Reverend David Driver and his wife, Margaret, from Newcastle, survived the crash.

Speaking from the King Hussein Medical Centre, in Jordan's capital, Amman, where he was taken by helicopter and was being treated for a fractured hip, Mr Driver said: "I can't tell you much, it all happened so quickly as we were driving along. Afterwards I was in no position to go wandering about."

The Reverend Terry Hurst, deputy chairman of the Newcastle Methodist District, held a service in the city yesterday for those affected. He told the congregation: "We pray for all our friends, especially for the many friends and relatives of those affected by the bus accident. We remember those in the UK and from around the region who are still awaiting news.