A family today paid tribute to a community-spirited Norfolk couple who died in a tragic road crash on Easter Monday.

A family today paid tribute to a community-spirited couple who died in a tragic road crash on Easter Monday.

David Smith and his wife Marjorie, both 75, of Bradwell, Great Yarmouth, died after their silver Hyundai car left the A14 at the Rowley Mile BP garage near Newmarket, Suffolk.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened at about 2.35pm.

Today the family said the couple, who had been married for 54 years, were travelling to visit their daughter, son-in-law and grandson in Hertfordshire when their car left the road.

The family statement said: 'David retired from his job as a laboratory technician at Gorleston Grammar School in 1993.

'He was a member of St Andrews Church in Gorleston where he was also an active volunteer with the Memory Club.

'He enjoyed cycling and walking, often joining in sporting activities with his grandsons.

'Marjorie was well known at the former Shrublands Post Office where she worked for 42 years before retiring in 1995.

'She devoted much of her spare time to the care of elderly relatives over the past 30 years and also enjoyed card making, cooking and puzzles.

'The family have been overwhelmed by tributes from neighbours and friends to the couple's kindness and helpfulness to all. The funeral will be held at St Andrews Church on a date to be arranged.'

Neighbours have also paid tributes to the couple, who lived in Chestnut Avenue.

Their deaths have caused shock among neighbours on the road where they had lived for more than 40 years, who described the pair as 'kind and extremely well liked'.

Neighbour David Johnson said Mr Smith was greatly involved in the community and helped many of his neighbours out.

He said Mr Smith also worked for a charity helping people with memory problems.

He said: 'They were very nice people. David was really right in the middle of the community.

'He was the sort of person that if there was ever any rubbish on the street he would go and pick it up. Once when someone sprayed graffiti on the street sign he went and cleaned it off.'

And Lisa Jensen, a self-employed computer consultant from Bradwell, whose parents Frank and Norma Vitkofsky, 82 and 77, lived next door to the couple, said the whole street was in mourning after the tragedy.

She said her father suffered Alzheimer's disease and said Mr Smith was always there for him and would help them out with chores.

She added: 'The Smiths were a rock for my family and it gave me comfort knowing they were right next door.

'It is an absolute tragedy what happened. My parents moved there about 18 months ago and weren't from around there, but they welcomed them with open arms.

'David would help take their wheelie bin out and help with the gardening.'

Police, paramedics and fire crews were called to the scene along with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The stretch of road was closed for more than six hours while accident investigators studied the scene and the wreckage was cleared.

t A collision investigation is under way, and any witnesses to the collision should call PC Andrew Fossey at the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01473 613500.