A British great-grandmother was one of five people gunned down by a former US soldier at Fort Lauderdale airport, it has been confirmed.

Olga Woltering, who was in her eighties, was originally from Ipswich in Suffolk but lived in Atlanta with her husband Ralph, a former US Air Force serviceman.

The couple are believed to have travelled to the airport in Florida from their home in Georgia to go on a cruise.

The Catholic Church of the Transfiguration in Cobb County, which Mr Woltering had been a member of since 1978, said she was “so charming, calling everybody 'Lovey' or 'Love' in her unmistakable British accent”.

Father Fernando Molina-Restrepo said: “Olga was one of the most joyful, loving, caring and committed people I have ever met. This is a horrible tragedy for everyone here at Transfiguration, especially because Olga was so loved.

Fort Lauderdale shooting: 'Multiple people killed' in attack

“Olga and Ralph have been members of our Transfiguration Family since October 1978.

“May God give consolation to all of the victims of this tragedy and may God give eternal rest to those who died. Especially to our beloved Olga. Peace.”

Esteban Santiago, 26, a former National Guard soldier from Alaska and an Iraq War veteran, is accused of carrying out the massacre, which also left six people injured.