Marlborough postman John Fell has spoken of his heartbreak after his daughter and son-in-law were killed in a car crash on Friday, leaving their two children orphaned.

Nicola and Graham Smith, who married in 1985, had been teenage sweethearts and did everything together, said Mr Fell from his home in Avebury.

They were killed in a head-on collision at Caen Hill, Devizes, while, it is believed, they travelled to the supermarket for their weekly shop.

Their 13-year-old son Sam was a passenger in the car and is still in hospital in Bath after undergoing three operations for serious arm injuries.

The couple's ten-year-old daughter Lucy had decided not to go shopping but stay with her grandparents in Devizes. She is this week being cared for by them.

The driver of the other car involved in the tragedy, Devizes-based accountant John Selway, 33, from Steeple Ashton, near Trowbridge, also died in the accident. He leaves a widow and a three-year-old daughter.

Mr Fell said his 39-year-old daughter, who was known by the affectionate name of Ferret, lived for her family and wanted little else out of life. She and her husband, 42, had lived in Potterne for about four or five years.

Both worked for Cross Engineering in Devizes and, said Mr Fell, his daughter was delighted when she was recently able to go full time.

He said: "She loved her work, especially as it meant being near Graham. Apart from when she was with her family she was never happier than when she was at Cross's."

Mr Fell, who has two sons Wayne and Simon, added: "She just lived for her family. Graham used to like playing the odd game of skittles but apart from that they were always together.

"They used to do everything as a family, that is the tragedy of it. It's almost fitting that they died together."

Mr Fell said his son-in-law had been his daughter's only boyfriend and they had started courting as teenagers, probably as young as 15 or 16.

Carol Fell, Nicola's step-mother, said: "She was always the life and soul of the party and they were so happy together. They were inseparable."

They were inseparable in life, said Mr Fell, and will be inseparable in death because the families are planning to hold a joint funeral for the couple in Potterne.

Mr Fell last saw his daughter and son-in-law when he went to their home in Potterne on Wednesday to deliver Easter eggs for Sam and Lucy.

Mr and Mrs Fell had been due to fly out to Jamaica on Saturday for a two week cruise. They had already gone to bed on Friday evening when one of Mr Smith's family called to break the tragic news.

A neighbour of the couple, Brenda Starr, who had known Mrs Smith since they were at Devizes School together, said: "They were such a happy couple. They were like peas in a pod. Nicola was so jolly and cheerful. They were such a close family.

"It so quiet around here now. It's gutted everyone. Hardly any of the kids are playing outside. I still can't believe it."

Neighbour Amelia Mortimer, who has been living next to the Smiths for 11 years, said they were a lovely family.

"You could not wish for two better kids. And Nicola and Graham were always there if you wanted anything done. They would do anything for anybody."

Witnesses to the crash should contact PC Steve Cox at the Devizes-based traffic department on (01380) 735004.