FRIENDS and family of a popular couple who went missing in the tsunami disaster are set to pay their last respects at a memorial service this week.

The private service for Annie and John Hofton, of Wichenford, near Worcester, is being held at Malvern Priory at noon on Friday, February 11.

It will be led by the Rev John Barr, vicar of Malvern Priory.

The Hoftons were holidaying in Khao Lak, Thailand, at the time the disaster struck on Boxing Day and have not been heard from since.

Shop

Mrs Hofton, aged 57, owned women's fashion shop Tizzies, in Belle Vue Terrace, Malvern, while her 62-year-old husband was a sales manager.

John's sons Edward, aged 32, and Thomas, 30, and Annie's son Stacey Love, 37, flew out to the destination with an

ITN news crew to continue the search for their parents after the tsunami struck.

However, they returned a few days later having given up hope of finding them after witnessing the destruction in Thailand at first hand.