THE granddaughter of Eileen Swannack has confirmed the tragic news of her death in a heartfelt message describing the past few days as the “hardest of her life”.

Lucie Marie Swannack has also paid tribute to her “loving” and “wonderful” grandmother from Biddestone and expressed her thanks to everyone for their support on behalf of her and her family.

Posting on Facebook she said: “Thank you to everyone who has had my Nan in their thoughts over the last few days & for messages of concern & help.

“As most of you will now be aware, my Nan & her partner were unfortunately killed in the terrorist attack in Tunisia on Friday.

“The last few days have been the hardest of my life, the not knowing, the dread, the amount of emotions & questions running through all our heads have been exhausting & as more details unravel I'm sure it will continue to be very difficult & upsetting for our family for some time.

“We ask for patience & some privacy while we try to come to terms with this & grieve.

"I cannot understand how anyone could hurt my Nan, she was such a loving wonderful woman & I'm heartbroken she's been taken from us in such a cruel way.

"Thoughts with everyone involved in & affected by this tragedy.”

The Rev Jonathan Philpott, Priest-in-Charge at St Nicholas Church in Biddestone, said: "The community of Biddestone were shocked and saddened to hear the news that one of the villagers Eileen Swannack and her partner John Welch, also known in Biddestone, are victims of the recent terrorist attack in Sousse in Tunisia. 

"Biddestone is a small village, with a good sense of community, and so when events like this take place the effects are widespread across the village. 

"As a village church, one of the privileges is being able to stand alongside people at key moments in life whether they are moments of joy or of sadness, and so it is important that we mark the minute’s silence on Friday, July 3, together in the church."  

There will be a book of condolences in the church from tomorrow and the church will be open from 9am until 7pm so that people can sign it.

On Friday there will be a quiet service of remembrance for all of the victims of the terrorist attack, starting at 11.50am at the church.

The service will include a Bible reading, some prayers, the national minute’s silence, and opportunities for reflection.