Funeral to be held for Staffordshire couple who died in Spain flash floods

Terry, 74, and Don Turner, 78, were discovered in a sparsely-populated area where they lived near the small town of Pedralba, a 45-minute drive north-west of Valencia.

Their daughters, Renee Turner and Ruth O'Loughlin, from Burntwood, confirmed that their parents’ bodies were found in their car on November 2 following the flash floods, which began in late October and claimed the lives of 224 people. 

Ruth told BBC Radio WM that they feel 'in denial' about their parents' death. She said their car was found on its side in a ravine and was full of mud from the deluge. 

"Speaking to my sister every day, we feel like my parents are still alive in Valencia, because I think the truth is too shocking to believe," she said.

"To lose two parents, in the way that we've lost them, is devastating."

The retired couple moved to Spain about 10 years ago as they 'always wanted to be in the sunshine', Renee said. 

The sisters spoke of how their mum and dad were 'massive animal lovers' and volunteered at a dog rescue shelter local to them, called Rastro. Renee said it was important to her and Ruth that they support the shelter that their parents loved so much.

"When they volunteered at the local dog shelter, it gave them happiness," Ruth told BBC WM back in November. 

Renee added: "We want to show love and respect to our parents and do what's right by them.

Ms O’Loughlin and her sister Renee Turner have since raised more than £4,600 for the charity in their memory.

Ruth added that she did not want the funeral to be a 'dark, sombre day' but a celebration of the lives of 'two absolutely amazing people'.