TRIBUTES have been paid to a man in Tadley who is thought to be one of the British people who died in a terror attack in Tunisia last week.

David Thompson, of The Green, Tadley has been named locally as being one of the victims of the terrorist attack on a beach near Sousse last Friday.

Thirty-eight people lost their lives in the attack carried out by Seifeddine Rezgui and thirty of those victims are expected to be confirmed as British.

In a statement released by Hampshire Constabulary this afternoon, Mr Thompson's family asked for privacy at "this extremely difficult time".

Neighbours have told The Gazette that David, who was 80, was on holiday in Tunisia with his partner Anne at the time of the attack and they described him as a “very active person”.

Claire Chambers, 58, said she would exchange Christmas cards with the couple, adding: “It is a huge tragedy and I think the other (sad) thing is he was very fit and went running. He was incredibly fit.

“It is just dreadful and I don’t know how the witnesses of it would get over that. 

“People who didn’t lose anybody also experienced being over there. They were so far from safety and the beach was close to the hotel and he went into the hotel and it is just awful.

“It is truly dreadful and you don’t imagine it to happen so close to home. It has been quite a shock. It is just so sad.”

Other neighbours described the attack as “tragic” and a “sad situation” and said it was sad that someone so fit and active has been killed.

David Leeks, chairman of Tadley Town Council said that they would observe a one-minute silence at 12noon at St Paul's Church, in The Green on Friday.

He added: "You don't expect something like this to happen so close to home. It is very, very sad.

"You hope it will never happen and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this very sad loss.

"It is a very sad loss for the community and our thoughts are with the family and the town council sends our deepest sympathy."

In a statement, North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse said he was "horrified at the truly shocking news of the shootings in Tunisia, and to hear that one of the victims is David Thompson, one of my constituents from Tadley".

He added: "His family, indeed every family and loved one going through this terrible time, are in my thoughts. They have my deepest sympathies.

"We must now do everything we can to assist those in need. Families need to receive information and support and the deceased and injured need to be brought home as quickly as possible and I welcome the statement by the Prime Minister in the House yesterday confirming the enormous effort underway to help everyone affected.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not confirmed the identity of any of the British victims.

In a statement in the House of Commons yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It is with great sadness that I have to tell the House that we now know at least 18 British nationals have been killed, with more injured and the death toll is likely to rise still further.

“Mr Speaker these were innocent British holidaymakers, people who had saved up for a special time away with their friends and family, and who suddenly became the victims of the most brutal terrorist attack against British people for many years.

“I am sure the whole House will join me in sending our deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones. And I know the whole country will want to share in a moment of remembrance.”

A minute's silence will be held across the country on Friday to remember the victims of the attack.