Family and friends are grieving for a young Surrey couple who were killed in a car crash on Monday, just months after selling up and moving to Spain.

According to Spanish police, Emily Scourfield - a former pupil of Surbiton High School and Esher College - and her long-term boyfriend Jamie Grafton died when their car crashed into a palm tree.

The accident happened at a roundabout on the main road to Orihuela, in the province of Alicante on the east coast of Spain, where they lived. Another British passenger, who has still to be named, was also killed.

The couple had recently moved to Spain after working at the former Liberty Bell restaurant in Ewell Road, Surbiton.

Emily, 24, was restaurant manager and Jamie, 27, was head chef, and they shared a flat on the premises.

They moved to Spain with high hopes of opening their own restaurant and held a sale of all their possessions before they left.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is doing all it can for the next of kin of the couple and the family of the third victim.

A spokesman said: "We confirm that three British nationals died in a car accident on Monday and we are providing consular assistance to their next of kin."

Emily previously worked behind the bar at The Antelope pub in Maple Road, Surbiton.

A friend, who asked not be named, said: "She was a popular and sociable girl who was well known on the Surbiton scene. She will be greatly missed."

Surbiton High School headteacher Dr Jennifer Longhurst said: "We send our regards to the poor family and friends and they are all in our thoughts."

Details of funeral arrangements for the family are expected to emerge later in the week.