A VILLAGE is in mourning after discovering a father-of-two had been killed in the Saudi suicide bombings.

American Todd Bair was one of 34 people who lost their lives when three al Qaida bombers attacked residential compounds in the capital, Riyadh, on Monday.

Mr Bair, who moved to Wychbold, near Droitwich, with his wife and two sons a year ago, worked for a US military training company.

There has been no official confirmation of his identity from the Foreign Office, but his wife was named in media reports as Samantha. Their sons are eight-year-old Blake, who is understood to attend Wychbold First and Nursery School, and Daniel, aged 11, who goes to another school in the county.

Eleanor Sinton, headteacher of Wychbold First and Nursery School said teachers and pupils at the school had been shocked and saddened by his death.

She said the 36-year-old father was "a lovely man, a gentleman".

"He came to events, and he was at our Easter service. He had two delightful children."

The school heard of the tragedy on Wednesday morning, when Blake went in to school for a few minutes to speak to friends.

"The children knew what had happened by then," she said. "The school gathered for an assembly at the end of the morning.

"We talked about how we could support the family. We lit a candle and said prayers."

Children made cards in assembly for the family, and decorated them with messages like "We're thinking of you" and "Sorry to hear your news".

"He's the sort of boy you're delighted to have in your school," said Mrs Sinton. The whole school community joins in sending their love and sympathy to the family."

Mendo Kumari, owner of The Shop, said everyone in the village had been affected by the news.

"I'm very upset," she said. "I feel sorry for the children. Their mother's always smiling."

Neighbours said the family was too upset to talk.