Helicopter crash newlyweds named

The cause of the crash is unknown

The British couple killed in a helicopter crash in Spain hours after they were married have been named.

Jeanette Hodgson, 40, of Greenwich, and Michael Gregory, 37, of Leicester, died when the aircraft came down in the mountainous area of Istan, near Malaga.

A third person, thought to be the pilot, was also killed, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported.

They were due to meet their wedding guests for a reception in Mijas on the Costa del Sol when they crashed.

Guests 'incredulous'

The couple had hired the private helicopter to go sightseeing after marrying in the village of Nerja on Monday morning.

They were due to arrive at the El Oceano hotel in Mijas, near Malaga, at 1430 GMT - where around 20 guests were waiting.

Jose Carmona, reception manager at the Mijas hotel, said police arrived at 1600 GMT and told them what had happened.

Mr Carmona commented: "It's incredible - a day that should be a day of joy and happiness for everybody has turned into a tragedy."

El Mundo's website said the guests received the news with "great sorrow and incredulity".

The website confirmed the bodies of the three victims were removed from the crash scene on Tuesday morning.

The co-pilot is believed to have survived the accident and is being treated in hospital.

The Foreign Office confirmed the names of the couple and said the British Consulate was providing appropriate assistance to the families of the victims.

A friend of Mr Gregory's, Shaun Patrick, employed him in the 1990s at his sports firm.

He said: "I knew Mike as a friend, going out with the lads. We also worked very closely together."

"I am just absolutely devastated. We're just absolutely numb."

Mr Gregory had two children with Ms Hodgson, who also had three children from a previous relationship.