The family of the couple whose home was demolished in the Farnborough air disaster have spoken of their distress - and luck that no-one was home.

Patricia and Edwin Harman's sons Pete, 42, and Steven, 45, were speaking while visiting what is left of their house in Romsey Close on Monday afternoon.

Pete Harman said: "We are thankful they're alive. There were lifetime possessions in the house but my mother's thoughts are with the victims.

"They were retired and enjoying life - but now it's gone. But they have each other and they'll rebuild their lives."

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The property was left a shell after a private jet nose-dived into it and burst into flames, killing all five on board, after suffering engine failure.

Mr and Mrs Harman were on separate holidays abroad when the stricken aircraft ploughed into their home soon after take-off from Biggin Hill Airport at about 2.40pm on Sunday.

A gaping hole exposes the remains of their bedroom and bathroom, with all that remained of the roof being a few smoking pieces of timber.

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Pete Harman also said: "Ed and Patricia Harman would like to offer their condolences to the families of the deceased and to thank all members of the emergency services.

"While they are devastated at the loss of their home, they are also thankful they were not in the property when this terrible accident occured. They are also enamoured by the spirit of local neighbours."

He added: "[Pat] is in shock as she is in her 60s but she is bearing up well. She seemed in as good spirits as you could expect."

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Mrs Harman, 68, had no idea of the scale of the tragedy when she returned to the cordoned-off road late on Sunday evening from a holiday in Madeira.

Pulling her suitcase towards what was left of her detached home, she reportedly sobbed: "Oh my God, oh my God, the house, not the house, a plane into my house..." She was led away by a male relative.

Mrs Harman is believed to be staying with friends in Sidcup, while 12 other residents from seven evacuated homes in Romsey Close and Broadwater Gardens are staying in hotels across Bromley.

Her husband, 72, a retired insurance worker, was said to be continuing a golfing holiday in Portugal.

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