THE brothers orphaned by last week's horrific minibus crash on the M56 have paid tribute to their parents and younger brother.

Richard McCoig-Lees, aged 15, and his brother Matthew, 19, described their mother Denise as a proud mother who lived for her family.

Denise, her husband Martin and their nine-year-old son, Ryan, were killed last Thursday when the minibus in which they were travelling to Manchester airport careered into the central reservation and somersaulted along the motorway.

Richard was also on the minibus with the family, from Ledbury, in Herefordshire, and has received hospital treatment for injuries.

The family, who own a newsagents in Ledbury, had been on their way to Florida, for a holiday. Four other people were also killed in the accident.

In a statement issued by Greater Manchester Police, Matthew and Richard thanked the local community in Ledbury for its support and asked to be left alone and allowed to grieve in private.

The pair are now staying with family near their home as they try to come to terms with their loss.

Ledbury residents, who received the news 24 hours before the town was due to welcome the Queen and Prince Philip on a visit, are said to be devastated by the news.

Matthew, a student at Salford University who had not been on the minibus, said both his father and younger brother had been avid Manchester United fans.

Martin was a season ticket holder at Old Trafford and regularly travelled to matches with the Hereford and Worcester branch of the supporters' association.

Last year, he had taken Ryan, whose brothers described him as a mature, popular and happy child, to his first home game.