Friends of a British backpacker murdered in Thailand with his girlfriend have spoken of their disbelief at the couple's horrific death.

Adam Lloyd, 25, who grew up in Croydon, was gunned down moments before his 23-year-old girlfriend, Vanessa Arscott, was run over and shot during a night out in Kanchanaburi, 80 miles west of Bangkok, last Thursday.

The area is popular with tourists due to its close proximity to the original bridge on the river Kwai.

Police are still hunting the police sergeant suspect, Somchai Visetsingha.

Adam lived in Devon but grew up in Croydon in Hart's Croft, Selsdon, with his parents, Brian and Linda, and three brothers Matthew, Jonathan and Christopher. He attended Forestdale Primary, Pixton Way, until 1990.

The family then moved to Purley and Adam and his brothers attended St Andrew's CofE High School, Warrington Road. He left in 1995 to study travel and tourism at East Surrey College in Redhill.

Recently, Adam had moved to Torquay where his parents now run a guesthouse. There he met girlfriend Vanessa and in his profile for website Friends Reunited, Adam said he was "loving living by the sea".

The couple were nearing the end of their "trip of a lifetime" when tragedy struck.

A statement issued by Adam's family reads: "Their two-month trip was finishing with a return visit to the Kwai area where they had visited the war graves.

"They were looking forward to their return home on Saturday when they could recount their experiences to the family. It is tragic that two such loving young people should die when they had so much to look forward to."

Geoff Charman, deputy head of St Andrew's who has taught at the school for 30 years, said he was shocked by the news of Adam's death.

He said: "I taught the whole family. Adam was a loveable, sociable, sporty boy. He was just a very nice, popular lad with a great sense of fun. I remember him and his family with great affection.

"It's just so hard to make sense of something so tragic and pointless."

Old school friend Caroline Priestley, 25, from Forestdale, described Adam as a "fabulous guy".

She attended Forestdale Primary with Adam and knew his family well.

She said: "My mum used to go round and cut the boys' hair. I was in the same class as Adam for many years and he was always the joker of the class, such a great sense of humour.

"It's a tragedy. I'll look back at the school photos I have and always see his smiling face."