A GREAT-grandmother who was killed with her partner in the Tunisia beach massacre had a "heart of gold", her family said.

Eileen Swannack, 73, from Biddestone, died with former plumber John Welch, 74, during the attack in Sousse.

Her family issued a glowing tribute following Mrs Swannack's funeral, which took place at Biddestone Church this afternoon.

They said Mrs Swannack - one of five siblings - grew up in Bristol but moved to the "picturesque" village of Biddestone with her husband Eddie in the 1960s.

She met Mr Welch, of Corsham, around eight years ago, having been widowed in 2005 and the couple holidayed together.

"Eileen was always full of energy," her family said.

"She exuded youthfulness, had a lust for life, and a real sense of fun and mischief.

"She was mum to Keith and Des, grandmother to Lorren and Lucie and great-grandmother to Ruby and Sapphire.

"She played an important role in the lives of all who knew her, including her step-grandchildren and friends.

"She had a heart of gold and was always first to offer help to others.

"Eileen enjoyed socialising, and frequently enjoyed nights out listening to local bands.

"Her favourite was a local guitarist and vocalist called Brad Stevens, and Eileen and her friends became known locally as the Bradettes.

"John Welch had become her close companion around eight years ago and the couple enjoyed holidaying together.

"They had visited Sousse, in Tunisia, for the preceding four years, loving the resort and sunshine.

"Eileen adored the fair weather at home as well, and took every opportunity to spend time out in the garden, which she loved, carefully tending to her precious fish pond."

Mrs Swannack had worked in the stores at the Westinghouse in Chippenham before taking a job at the local White Horse pub.

Her family also released pictures of Mrs Swannack with her granddaughter Lorren Swannack and step-granddaughter Sam Vaughan.

"We, the Swannack family, would like to thank family and friends for the kind thoughts and support they have received - the flowers and cards have been a great solace to us and the homemade cakes have also been very welcome," her family added.

"The assistance we have received in various forms has been essential in helping us to get through this incredibly difficult time.

"We would also like to express our thanks to the team at RAF Brize Norton, the Counter Terrorism Unit, Thomson Holidays, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Wiltshire Police and the Red Cross, all of whom have bent over backwards to make the difficult process as trouble free as possible.

"We offer our particular thanks to the professional way that Eileen was repatriated back into the UK with compassion, professionalism, dignity and care.

"This has been of utmost comfort to us.

"Our thoughts are with all of the friends and families of those who had their lives tragically taken from them in Tunisia as we all share this terrible grief and loss."