HUNDREDS of people packed into Romsey Abbey for a moving service to celebrate the lives of a "much-loved" Hampshire couple who died in a helicopter crash.

• Nigel and Helen Charlton memorial >>

Nigel and Helen Charlton were among seven people who died in New Zealand while flying over Fox Glacier.

The pair, from Dunbridge, were prominent members of their community and their deaths left the neighbourhood in "shock".

The service followed a private funeral held at Southampton crematorium the day before.

Hands moved to faces to wipe tears when the Romsey Male Voice Choir, for which Nigel, 66, was the librarian, performed a number of songs in tribute to the couple at their memorial service of "thanksgiving" yesterday.

The harmonious sound of their voices filled the abbey as they performed four songs in honour of the couple. A spot where bass chorist Nigel would have stood was left empty.

Chairman of the choir, Geoff Skinner, paid tribute to them.

He said:"Yesterday we cried at our friends funeral as we said our goodbyes.

"Today we allow ourselves a small smile at a service of thanksgiving to celebrate the lives of Nigel and Helen, and to remember all of the good times we shared together."

Nigel and Helen's sister-in-law, Rev Helen Charlton, gave a reading and an address while their son Daniel Hamilton-Charlton spoke.

He described their deaths as "shocking" and "heart-breaking".

"They had done everything they could or was expected of them as parents. My brother Jason and I are so very proud of them," he said.

"They will never have to say goodbye to each other."

Speaking on behalf of the family Rev Canon Tim Sledge, who opened and closed the service said: "They don't want the tragedy of their deaths to have the last word."

He added that the service was to reflect the "vibrancy and colour of their lives".