Couple were celebrating anniversary before Bahamas tragedy

The husband of a woman who died as she tried to rescue her two sons when they were swept out to sea in the Bahamas said they had been celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.

Leanne Gregory, from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, had been on a family holiday with husband Nathan when he believes their boys were swept into the ocean by a riptide.

Although the children were rescued from the water on Tuesday, their mother was unable to be saved, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Nathan, who is now back home with their sons, said the trip had been an early celebration for their anniversary in December.

Nathan said the loss of his 36-year-old "childhood sweetheart" was "unimaginable", but she was a "hero... in life and in death" as she helped to rescue the two boys.

"I've known her since infant school," he told the BBC. " We first got together when we were 14... so 22 years."

"There are no words I can use to describe Leanne, same as anyone she has ever known.

"She was the purest of people, the most generous kind and beautiful person who ever walked the earth.

"Our relationship was perfect. She was the perfect mother, the perfect wife the foundation of our entire family."

Nathan said: "Royal Caribbean and Virgin Airlines were absolutely incredible to us and made an impossible journey home so much easier."

Now, as he "keeps strong for his boys", a gofundme has generated nearly £9,000 in donations to support them.

More tributes have paid to the family since the tragedy.

Richard MacRae, who represents Stapleford north at Broxtowe Borough Council, said it was a "tight-knit community" that would rally around the family.

"It's sad, it's heartbreaking, when something tragic happens and people have got young kids involved, it is just a different level," he said.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends and the wider community."

On a BBC Facebook post, people passed on their condolences.

One post read: "Grateful to have known you and worked with you Leanne!

"Gone too soon, but never forgotten."

Stapleford Fire Station posted it was "deeply saddened" to hear of the mother of two's death.