A STOCKTON-BORN former footballer has been confirmed as among those killed in the Tunisia beach atrocity.

Former Birmingham City Football Club player Denis Thwaites and his wife Elaine are reported to have been killed in the terrorist attack on Friday.

The family of the couple, from Blackpool, Lancashire, appealed for information about their whereabouts after the tragedy.

Birmingham City FC tweeted last night about the deaths of Mr and Mrs Thwaites.

The club said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of former player Denis Thwaites and his wife Elaine in the Tunisian terrorist attack.

"Our thoughts are with Denis' family. The club also offers its condolences to all who are mourning loved ones due to this atrocity."

Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South, wrote on Twitter: "Very sad to hear Denis and Elaine Thwaites from Blackpool among those killed in the terrorist attack in Sousse and condolences to their family."

The retired couple, aged 70 and 69, arrived in Sousse on Wednesday and had been staying at the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba.

Their son-in-law Danny Clifford used Twitter to try to find Mr and Mrs Thwaites after receiving no information.

He said the family were "absolutely frantic" not knowing what had happened to them.

Mr Clifford and his wife Lindsey said there was now a void in their lives following the deaths of Mr and Mrs Thwaites.

And they described the couple as "the kindest, caring, loving parents any daughter could wish for".

Writing on Mr Clifford's Facebook page, they wrote: "There is now a void in our lives that will never be filled, but your thoughts and words will keep Lindsey and I strong at this most difficult time. Thank you.

"Mum and Dad were the kindest, caring, loving parents any daughter could wish for. Rest in peace now my angels."

Garry Pendrey, Mr Thwaites's former team-mate at Birmingham City, said he had been stunned by the news of his death and described him as a "lovely, lovely man".

The former captain and manager said: "It is unbelievable. He was the equivalent of Trevor Francis in his time, he really was.

"Denis was a terrific player, he had tremendous ability. He could go past people, score goals. Unfortunately he wasn't really able to reproduce his talents on a consistent basis, he had a problem with nerves. But he was some player, and a lovely, lovely man."

Mr Thwaites, who was born in Stockton-on-Tees, played for Birmingham City from 1962 to 1972 after joining the club as an amateur in 1960.

He was part of the squad that won the club's first major honour - the 1963 League Cup - and missed only six games between November 1964 and April 1966.

He also helped his second division team hold Manchester United, whose players included George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, to a 2-2 draw in an FA Cup tie in February 1969.

Mr Thwaites retired in 1972 at 27 and later moved with his family to Blackpool, where he worked as a hospital porter.