THE funerals of the three men killed in a helicopter crash are taking place this week.

Captain Ian Shoobridge, of Durrington, and engineers James Gordon-Stables and Neville Moger died when the Twin Squirrel they were test-flying came down in a field at Hurstbourne Tarrant, near Andover.

On Monday, Mr Moger's friends and family remembered "a selfless loving man who will be greatly missed".

Mr Moger (45), who lived in Romsey, lost his wife Julie three years ago, after she developed a rare condition following a routine operation.

He leaves their sons, Andrew (16), Matthew (13) and Paul (12), and a close-knit church community trying to come to terms with the second tragedy.

The funeral of Mr Shoobridge, who lived in Cygnet Drive, Durrington, takes place today at St Alban the Martyr church, Larkhill.

Friends of the popular pilot are expected to travel from all over the country to attend the service, at 1pm.

A former member of the Army Air Corps, Mr Shoobridge was a veteran of the first Gulf war and won the Air Force Medal for his bravery during a dramatic rescue in Ireland.

He leaves his wife, Sue (49), and 17-year-old daughter Laura, who describe the 51-year-old as "the most wonderful husband and father".

The sad week concludes with the funeral of 37-year-old James Gordon-Stables, from Ludgershall, at 1pm on Friday.

The service will take place at St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Andover, and a book of condolence has been opened.

Mr Gordon-Stables was a CAA-licensed engineer, with 20 years' experience.

His career took him all over the world and he had worked in America, the Middle East, Ireland and various UK locations.

He leaves his partner, Melanie, and her two daughters, as well as his mother, a sister and three brothers.

In a statement, the family said: "To his mum, he was a kind, supportive and loving son. James will be sadly missed by family and friends."

Air accident investigators are examining the wreckage in a bid to discover what caused the helicopter to crash, upside down, on December 2.

Early indications are that a catastrophic technical fault developed during the flight, but it will take the team several weeks to complete the crash inquiry.