The families of two teenage air cadets killed in a mid-air plane crash have spoken of their devastation.

Cousins Nikkita Marie Walters, 13, and Katie-Jo Davies, 14, were on a half-hour "flight experience" when the two aircraft crashed above sand dunes on the South Wales coast.

It was believed the planes clipped wings before tumbling in flames from the sky near the M4 motorway.

Saying they wanted time alone to grieve, the families issued a statement which said: "Words cannot describe how devastated we are by the loss of our girls.

"Nikkita and Katie-Jo were both much loved and will be so sorely missed. We are all grieving and would appeal for privacy at this time to come to terms with our loss."

It was not known whether the girls, from Gilfach Goch in the Rhondda area of South Wales, were at the controls when the collision happened.

The girls were with instructors Hylton Price, 63, and Andrew Marsh, 24. Both perished in the tragedy. The four bodies have not yet been recovered.

Mr Price, from Bridgend, was retired but was part of the RAF's voluntary reserves and Mr Morgan, from the Vale of Glamorgan, was a serving Flying Officer.

Their boss, Grp Capt Naismith, said both were "extremely qualified for the task".

He added that the RAF felt the loss "acutely," saying: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who lost their lives."