SCHOOLMATES of six-year-old George Tonkinson, who was left orphaned after a devastating plane crash killed both his parents, are recording messages of support for him.

The young boy was in a light aircraft with his parents, Lewis and Sally Tonkinson, on Saturday afternoon travelling from the Isle of Wight when the plane crashed in woodland near near Popham Airfield in Hampshire.

Sadly both Mr and Mrs Tonkinson, of Cookhill, near Alcester, did not survive the crash but George was pulled from the wreckage.

Now George, a pupil at King's Hawford Junior School in Claines, near Worcester, is conscious and recovering from life threatening injuries in Southampton General Hospital with members of his family.

They are hoping he will be transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital early next week.

To aid his recovery the children at King's Hawford have begun recording messages of support for the six-year-old following a special assembly held today, the first day back at school for the youngsters following the Christmas holidays.

Jim Turner, headteacher, said they also provided a chance for parents to meet to talk about the accident and be with each other.

"We met at the start of school in a special assembly to talk about the accident which resulted in George losing his parents and suffering injuries," he said.

"The important thing for the children was to feel that they were sending George their love. We prayed for a speedy recovery and for strength to be given to those who are caring for him.

"We opened our doors to parents who wished to meet to talk about the accident. They are all keen to provide support to George during his period of recovery and beyond.

"The children are recording a set of audio messages to George, which I hope to play to him in hospital."

The school has also flown the Union Jack flag at half mast.

Yesterday (Monday) tributes were paid to the couple, who married in November 2013, with bunches of flowers being left at the gates to their home in Cookhill.

Mr Tonkinson, who turned 50 on New Year's Eve was a director and co-founder of Pinnacle Marketing Communications.

His co-director Simon Flatt said: "It is with great sadness that we announce that Lewis Tonkinson, director and co-founder of Pinnacle Marketing Communications, died on 3rd January 2015.

"Lewis and Sally were a hugely popular couple and their tragic and untimely loss will leave a big gap in the lives of the great many people that knew and loved them.

"Our thoughts are with their families and, in particular, for George's speedy recovery."

Post mortems for Mr and Mrs Tonkinson were due to be carried out today.

In Hampshire investigations into the crash, being carried out by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, are ongoing.

Anyone who saw the aircraft prior to the crash at 3.43pm yesterday should contact the AAIB on 01252 510300.