A couple in their 80s died when they were hit by a car as they left a Christmas carol service at a village church.

The man and a woman, who have not yet been named, were struck by a Mini as they were walking across the road to get back to their parked car.

The tragedy happened after the couple had gone to the carol service in All Saints Church, High Kelling near Holt, Norfolk.

The couple were said to be regular and popular worshippers at the tiny woodland church, where the woman helped with the catering and social events.

Police and paramedics as well as firefighters were called to the scene at around 4.20pm on Sunday and closed the A148 road.

The accident happened on a stretch of the road which has a 30mph limit, and is near the junction of Avenue Road, opposite the church, An air ambulance was also scrambled and landed nearby while the couple were given first aid, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the white BMW Mini One, a man aged in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.

Norfolk Police said he was taken to the Police Investigation Centre at Wymondham for questioning.

The Rev Canon Howard Stoker, the rector of Holt with High Kelling, said: "Understandably, members of our congregations are reeling in shock and filled with sorrow following the tragic death of two much loved members of our church family.

"They were loved and respected for their kindness, generosity and friendship by all who knew them and they will be dearly missed.

"My thoughts and prayers at this difficult time are with their family and all who are affected by this double tragedy.

"Coming to terms with such a loss and the manner of their death is incredibly difficult, but coming so close to Christmas makes it even harder.

"Yet, as we come together again to mark the birth of our Lord Jesus, we are reminded the light of love shines in the darkness and even the deepest darkness cannot extinguish it."

Tim Bennett, a church warden for the parish of Holt, which includes All Saints Church, said: "It has been absolutely terrible. Everyone is devastated. They were regulars at the church, and were very helpful and popular.

"The woman helped with catering and social events. We were there at the scene."

All Saints Church was built in 1924 as a chapel to serve two nearby tuberculosis sanatoriums for women and children.

The chapel was bought by the local community of High Kelling for £500 after the sanatoriums closed in 1955 It acted independently, for several years with clergy from Holt taking services, despite it not being officially licensed.

But it was formerly recognised as a Church of England church in 1978, and formerly linked with St Andrew's church, Holt, in 1994.

The church which this year celebrated its centenary as a place of worship is known as the smallest in the Diocese of Norwich.

The road was closed for around eight hours after the incident.

Norfolk Police are appealing for information from Officers anyone who witnessed the collision or the manner of driving of the Mini prior to it happening.

Anyone with any information or any relevant dashcam footage is asked to get in touch, quoting reference NC-22122024-290, via website: https://www.norfolk.police.uk/tell-us, Email: [email protected], or Phone: 101