Wootton Bassett has received a letter of condolence from the town of Dunblane in Scotland expressing sympathy for the loss of Bob and Deb Fry and Jean Dinsmore.

The letter was sent to the mayor, Audrey Wannell and her councillor husband Chris after the three parents died trying to save their children from rough seas in the Algarve last week.

The Dunblane tragedy happened 11 years ago when primary school children were shot dead in the Scottish town.

The letter expressed the Scottish town's empathy for what the whole community will be feeling after its own experience in 1996.

Gunman Thomas Hamilton entered Dunblne Primary and opened fire killing sixteen children and a teacher.

Councillor Chris Wannell said: "We had a very very kind letter from Dunblane expressing their sympathy and empathy for the sad loss in Wootton Bassett.

"It was from Doctor Sheila Gray. Her late husband was the vicar in Dunblane at the time of the shootings.

"It was a personal letter to Audrey and I as mayor and consult to the people of Wootton Bassett and wider Wiltshire.

"We will be replying today expressing our heartfelt thanks."

The mayors husband added: " It is not the sort of thing you imagine happening in your town.

"From the town's point of view we all want to help the families as much as we can but we don't know at this stage what help they need."

Nationwide building society, where Mrs Dinsmore worked, is expected to set up a fund where people can donate to help the families.

Mr Wannell added: "At rugby on Saturday there was a minutes silence. The teams linked arms and bowed their heads.

"There have been a lot of very very kind offers. This is Wootton Bassett. Everybody has pulled together extremely well."