Inquest told of children 'stolen' by Egypt bomb

A mother and father yesterday paid emotional tributes to their teenage children who were killed by suicide bombers in Egypt.

Pete Fulham, of Hinckley, Leicestershire, told an inquest how his "gentle and caring" son "Matty" was due to turn 18 the day after the terrorist attack.

Heide Lloyd, of Evesham, Worcestershire, said her "beautiful, sparkling" 16-year-old daughter Hannah had been "stolen from her" in the attack on Sharm el-Sheikh in July.

A coroner concluded that eight of the 11 Britons killed in the bombings had died as a result of an act of terrorism overseas.

Caroline Beasley-Murray, sitting at a hearing in Chelmsford, Essex, is expected to return identical verdicts on the other three victims today.

Relatives of the dead attacked the British Government for "failing" to offer support and compensation. "Matthew was a shy, gentle and caring young man," said Mr Fulham.

He added:"Matthew had really grown up in both attitude and stature. And it was really pleasing to see him develop in confidence - having coming out of the 'Kevin' stage, where sometimes saying good morning to him would have been confrontational."

Mrs Lloyd wept as a court official read out her eulogy to Hannah. "Hannah could never wait to grow up," said Mrs Lloyd's tribute. "It was always hard to keep up with her energy and enthusiasm for life." Mrs Lloyd said her daughter "seemed unstoppable" and added: "At last she had reached a point where she could really fly and I thought, 'now she is safe - she is prepared for the world'. How wrong I was."