AN ELDERLY Chester couple were driving to their much-loved holiday home when they were killed in an horrific crash on the North Wales coast.

John and Jean Gilleland, both 76, of Woodfield House, Kingsway, died at the scene following the tragic two-vehicle smash on the A470 in Conwy Valley at 3.40pm on Friday.

The couple’s funeral will take place at Chester Crematorium at 11.30am on Friday, June 3.

They had been driving in their Vauxhall Meriva towards Llanrwst, where they own a static caravan, when they collided with a Land Rover Freelander travelling towards Llandudno.

David Lesley Crapper, from Conwy, was a passenger in the Freelander and died in hospital on Saturday morning.

The female driver, who has not been named, remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Mr Gilleland, who is originally from Great Sutton, was a regular in the Dee Miller pub and worked as a cleaner at Newton Primary School.

His wife Jean, who he’d been married to for 52 years, was originally from Blacon.

A family tribute said: “A much-loved brother, sister, uncle, aunt. They will be sadly missed by all their family and friends.”

Steve Clarke, landlord of the Dee Miller pub, said: “John was the nicest man you could ever meet. No one would ever say anything bad about him.

“He loved his caravan, he’d spend all his summer there. If he wasn’t away in his caravan, every Saturday or after working at the school, he’d pop in.”

Mr Gilleland’s friend John Taylor had spoken to him on the bus on Friday morning.

Mr Taylor, who had known him for about 40 years, said: “I was stunned when I found out. He was a cracking fella. He had a wicked, dry sense of humour.

“I believe they were driving up to the caravan. All he spoke of was his caravan and Liverpool FC.”

Friend Tony Sparkes, who had known Mr Gilleland for 36 years, added: “It really shocked me when I found out, I couldn’t take it in for a couple of days.

“John had been in the merchant navy, he was a very knowledgable fella. You couldn’t find a nicer guy. He was one of the best.”

Newton Primary School headteacher Mark Griffiths said: “John was very popular with everybody.

“John was very fond of the children and the news has been shared with them in school and a prayer has been said for him in assembly.

“His remarkable sense of humour and his kindness will be sorely missed.”

North Wales Police are no longer seeking witnessess to the crash after the driver of a Vauxhall Vectra came forward to talk to officers following an appeal.