A COUPLE from Cumbernauld are among the 30 British people fear to have been massacred by a gunman in Tunisia.

Ann and James McQuire were killed, along with 36 others, when a terrorist opened fire on the beach popular holiday resort Sousse on Friday.

So far 15 British and three Irish deaths have been confirmed with the death toll expected to rise.

The victims have not been officially identified but the names have been released by friends and family.

It is understood Mr and Mrs McQuire, who are recently retired, travelled to the North African country last Sunday for a well earned break.

They were due to return home yesterday.

Jim, 66, was a former marine engineer who worked in the shipyards and had volunteered with his local Boys' Brigade troop for a number of years.

Ann, 63, worked as a receptionist at Craigmarloch Medical Centre in Cumbernauld.

Their grief-stricken son Stuart, 32, was too upset to speak yesterday.

Neighbour David Wharton, 53, who lived beside the couple for 22 years, said: "Jim was the type of man who would do anything for anybody and was always very gracious whenever you

"It might sound like something out of a fairytale but they were just the kindest, most genuinely nice neighbours you could possibly ask for.

David's wife Lynn-Ann Wharton, 42, said :"They were so friendly. You couldn't ask for better neighbours.

"I can't imagine what their son must be thinking right now.

Prayers were said in tribute to the couple as the congregation of their local church gathered on Sunday morning.

Reverend Joyce Keyes of Abronhill Parish Church, where the Anchor Boys and Boys' Brigade met, said: "They were extremely important to the church community here.

"Jim was an elder with the church and the captain of the Boys' Brigade and his loss must impact on the wider community.

"I knew them very well. They were friends of mine as well as members of the church.

"They took part in services here. Jim would play guitar and Ann was a beautiful singer.

"They're going to be very dreadfully missed not just by their family but also by their church family.

"Jim had been working extremely hard with the Boys' Brigade for years and would rush over after work on a Friday to help out."

The family of a couple from Perth who haven't been heard from since the tragedy are facing anxious wait for news.

Billy and Lisa Graham, were holidaying in the busy resort of Sousse when the lone gunman used an automatic weapon to open fire on sunbathing tourists.

Daughter Holly Graham is keeping a vigil by the phone and has criticised a lack of information from the Foreign Office and tour operator Thomson.

Three generations of one family from the West Midlands are among those caught up in the killing spree.

Joel Richards, 19, and his uncle, Adrian Evans, who is in his 40s, died together.

Mr Richards' grandfather, Patrick Evans, 78, is also feared dead, while his 16-year-old brother Owen survived.

Adrian Evans worked as a manager in the gas services department of Sandwell Council in the West Midlands.

Council leader Darren Cooper said he was "a very popular and long-serving employee".

Joel Richards, who played for Birmingham County FA, was described by the football club as "a young, talented referee". Birmingham-based Gaelic football club James Connollys GFC also paid tribute to their player as an "exceptionally talented footballer".

Couple Sue Davey and Scott Chalkley, from Staffordshire, were also on holiday in Sousse and killed in the shootings.

Ms Davey's son Conor Fulford, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, reported that his mother had died.

He tweeted: "Sorry to tell you we lost my mother Sue Davey tonight but I want to thank everybody that tried to help me and my family".

Mr Chalkley's son Ross Naylor, from Derby, described his father as a "loving, typical bloke".

One of the first victims to be confirmed was Carly Lovett, a 24-year-old fashion blogger was from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

Lisa Burbidge was from Whickham, Gateshead, was also killed.

Her granddaughter, Chloe Thompson, left a tribute Facebook in which she said: "My angel, my best friend love you always grandma, rest in peace."

Trudy Jones, of Blackwood in Gwent, south Wales, was named as among the dead by her MP, Chris Evans.

Mr Evans, MP for Islwyn, said: "The reality of this horrific and brutal attack has now been brought home to our communities with the news that Trudy Jones of Blackwood is among those murdered.

"My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time."

Bruce Wilkinson, 72, from Goole in Yorkshire was confirmed dead by his family who said in a statement: "We are devastated at the loss of Bruce, who was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

"Bruce was a loving family man, and in his working life worked to support the care of others. He was a kind and compassionate man, with a dry sense of humour."

Claire Windass, a 54-year-old victim from Hull, has also been confirmed dead.

Her husband, Jim who was beside her on the beach, survived.

The Irish mother-of-two Lorna Carty from Robinstown, Co Meath, is one of the confirmed Irish victims along with Laurence and Martina Hayes from Athlone in Co Westmeath.

Mr Hayes had worked for transport company Bus Eireann for the last 20 years. He was a schools transport inspector.