John and Janet Stocker from Crawley, Sussex, have been named as among the 38 people killed in the Tunisian beach massacre in Sousse last Friday.

John Stocker was a retired printer "born and bred in Peckham" a statement released by the family said. His wife was a "fun-loving and devoted mother” from Fulham.

The family statement continued: "Mum and dad were the happiest, most loving couple who enjoyed life's simple pleasures as well as the pleasures and love of their extensive family and their many friends.

"But most of all they were still very much in love with each other."

The couple had five children and 10 grandchildren and their family said they were both “young at heart” and enjoyed travelling, “exploring and appreciating local cultures”.

"They made a huge impact on our lives, and touched the hearts of so many people and they will both be sorely missed and never forgotten."

The family had an agonising wait for news of their loved ones. They launched a determined media campaign, with the couple’s son Mark Stocker appearing on Sky News and grandchildren Samuel (@SLStocker91) and Laura Stocker (@LauraL0uL0u) tweeting on the subject, in the hope of finding somebody who had some news.

Their Twitter hashtag #FindJohnAndJanetStocker, was trending on Twitter on Saturday, with one tweet retweeted 1,600 times.

Yesterday, also on Twitter, Samuel Stocker confirmed what many had feared, writing: “It is with great regret that I have to inform everyone that John and Janet Stocker were confirmed dead today. Thank you all for your support.”

There have been several arrests connected to the attack. Gunman Seifeddine Rezgui, who had links to Islamic State, was shot dead by Tunisian police.

Home secretary Theresa May joined politicians from Tunisia and Germany to lay flowers on the beach where tourists staying at the Imperial Marhaba and Bellevue hotels were attacked as they relaxed in the sun.

A minute's silence will be held on Friday at noon to remember all the victims.