An inquest into the deaths of a millionaire Brighouse couple killed in a helicopter crash has been opened.

Evidence of identification on Paul Spencer, 43, and his wife, Linda, 59, was taken by the Coroner for the western division of North Yorkshire, Geoff Fell.

A post-mortem examination revealed the two had died of multiple injuries.

The self-made millionaires were killed instantly when their black Gazelle helicopter crashed in woodland in grounds of Rudding Park Hotel, near Harrogate, on Saturday afternoon.

The couple had dined at the hotel shortly before the helicopter crashed shortly before dusk.

Mr Spencer was the pilot of the helicopter which came down among trees during gusty weather conditions about 800 yards from the hotel's helipad.

Their daughter Natalie returned from a skiing holiday after news of the tragedy broke.

Devastated family and friends have laid flowers at the scene of the tragedy.