A DEVASTATED pensioner has told how she wished her neighbours of 50 years a Merry Christmas and never saw them again.

Hours later Peter and Marjorie Waring, aged 72 and 73, were killed in a horrific road crash as they travelled to Hertfordshire to spend the festive period with their son.

Joan Morris, 74, who lived next door to the Waring's in Hope Street, Leigh, was reduced to tears when she heard the news.

She had spoken to them before they departed and Mr Waring had left her with the cheery message: "We'll see you in a week".

"I couldn't believe it when I heard what had happened," said Mrs Morris. "We've been friends since 1948 because that's how long we've lived next door to each other.

"We both married in the same year and my children, Kathleen and Diane, played with their children, Carl and Jill.

"I am devastated, really shocked. They were very good neighbours and friends and in half a century of knowing each other we never had one altercation."

Mr Waring and his wife were travelling on the A14 at Ellington, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a HGV.

Both Mr and Mrs Waring were killed in the accident. A police spokesman described the scene as horrific.

The couple were retired but Mrs Waring regularly helped out at Leigh Parish Church where they had been lifelong members.

Reverend Terry Challis said the tragedy had marred Christmas.

He said: "It is a terrible shock. They were a very kind and generous couple and very close to each other. They had many friends within the church and within Leigh.

"They were great sport lovers and were big supporters of Lancashire Cricket Club and Manchester City. They loved helping others and they were very proud of their children and their grand-children.

"It is a great shock to us here at the church and it has taken the shine out of our Christmas."

The funeral of Mr and Mrs Waring will take place at Leigh Parish Church and then Howe Bridge Crematorium on Thursday, January 6, at 1pm.

The Danish driver of the lorry involved in the accident was questioned by Cambridgeshire Police and bailed until next March.

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