Parents speak about twins' death

The twins had woken from a nap just before the accident

The parents of twin toddlers killed in a freak accident have spoken of the loss of two "happy and loved" children.

Betsy and William Woodbridge, two, died when a chest of drawers fell on them while they were playing at home in Winkfield, Berkshire, on Monday.

Their parents Paul, 37, and Louise, 33, said: "Words cannot begin to express the great loss of our beautiful children, who meant the world to us."

They were the grandchildren of multi-millionaire businessman Norman Grundon.

The family statement added: "They were both such happy and loved children. We are simply devastated.

The family is just shattered out of all existence Ruth Roll, family friend

"We have released a picture of Betsy and William today and would now ask the media to respect our complete privacy and allow us the time to grieve."

A private funeral for the children is being held on 5 October at St Mary's Church in Winkfield.

The toddlers had been having a nap in their upstairs bedroom, while their mother was downstairs with relatives, including their grandmother Frances.

It is believed they had woken up and were playing when they were crushed by the chest.

The children, who leave a 10-year-old brother, Ben, and a four-year-old sister, Lily, were pronounced dead on arrival at Wexham Park Hospital.

'Completely devastated'

Their mother is a director of Grundon Waste Management, owned by her father Norman Grundon, who appears on the Sunday Times Rich List with wealth estimated at £44m.

Their father, who was out at the time of the accident, is an executive with the company.

Ruth Roll, a family friend, said: "They are a very close family, the community in which they live is very close and everybody is completely devastated.

"The family is just shattered out of all existence."

An inquest into the incident has been opened and adjourned, to be reopened at a date to be confirmed.