EMOTIONAL loved ones paid tribute to the pilots and passengers of the Farnborough air tragedy at the scene of the accident.

The families of passengers Christopher Allarton, 25, and David Leslie, 54, as well as pilot Mike Roberts, 63, and co-pilot Michael Chapman, 57, visited the crash site in Broadwater Gardens, Farnborough on Tuesday.

Sportscar boss Richard Lloyd also perished in the air disaster.

Seven members of Mr Allarton’s family arrived in a minibus shortly after 3pm to lay flowers at the scene of the devastation. His father Richard had earlier described his son – who died just one week into his new job in motor racing - as “the light of my life”.

His younger brother Graeme Allarton, 20, said: "We’d like to say thank you on behalf of us all for the support from people in the community, the emergency services and everyone else who has shown us support.

“I’d like to send out our feelings to the other people involved. We know this is a terrible tragedy, a horrible thing to happen to anyone.

“We’d like people to remember all the people here and know everyone was dearly loved, especially my brother Christopher."

Police investigation teams remain on site sorting through the wreckage of the Cessna Citation jet in an effort to establish why it lost control shortly after taking off from nearby Biggin Hill Airport, on Sunday afternoon.

Biggin Hill based pilot Michael Roberts, from Effingham, Surrey, was praised as a “hero” for preventing even worse carnage on the ground.

Douglas Field, who knew Mr Roberts for 10 years, said: "Michael was a hero - that was the person I knew.

"He was a tremendous person who was full of life. He was very interested in racing, collecting cars and his aeroplane. He was a very experienced pilot."

The bodies of the five victims were removed on Monday night and neighbouring residents were allowed back into their homes. The plane wreckage is due to be removed on Wednesday.

Kevin Wood, whose garage was destroyed by the plane, returned home earlier on Tuesday.

He said: "I’m just picking up a few essentials. The condition of the house is not as bad as we thought."