THE family of Terry Stewart, one of the two men killed in a microlight crash last month, has spoken of their grief.

Mr Stewart, 50, was the pilot of the aircraft which broke up and plunged into a field close to cliffs at Eastchurch on Sheppey.

His widow, Maureen, said: "He was a much loved husband, dad and grandad. He was part of a large family who are devastated and miss him terribly."

Mr Stewart was a member of a flying club at Rochester. He owned a successful cleaning business and lived at Orpington. His widow stressed: "He enjoyed flying greatly and was a valued member of the flying club.

"Terry was an outstanding man, full of life, gifted and talented - known by scores of people in the community and beyond. He touched many people's lives."

The other victim was Daniel Attubato, 35, who lived in Maidstone. It was the first time Mr Attubato had been in a microlight. He had been given the flight as a present from relatives. He worked as a manager at Howdens Joinery in Gillingham Business Park.

The V-shaped wing section became detached from the metal supports holding the two men in place. Their bodies were found on a ledge near the top of cliffs and the wing came to rest about 200ft below.

The tragedy happened on Saturday, August 21, at about 1.40pm above Warden Cliffs at Connetts Farm, off Plough Road, Eastchurch.

Thames Coastguard received several reports from holidaymakers who had seen the plane disintegrate before it fell to the ground in clear, fine weather.