A Briton who was shot during a bungled robbery in South Africa in which his wife died is recovering in hospital.

Diane Conway was killed and her retired army major husband, John, was injured at the Royal Hotel in Pilgrims Rest, near the Kruger National Park.

The couple, from Warminster, Wiltshire, returned to their room at 1945 local time, after having dinner in the hotel.

The killer followed the pair to the room and demanded cash, police inspector Leonard Hlathi said.

Mr Conway is heavily sedated but awake. He's fully aware of what happened to him and his wife

Nick Sheppard

When Mr Conway refused, the attacker fired three shots. Mrs Conway, who was hit in the stomach, died at the scene.

Mr Conway, who works part-time for the Ministry of Defence at the army's infantry headquarters in Warminster, was hit in the neck and face.

The killer fled, leaving two 9mm cartridges.

Mr Conway was taken to the Nelspruit Private Hospital.

'Fully aware'

A hospital spokesman said he was out of danger and in a stable condition.

He is expected to remain in hospital for a week.

Mrs Conway was killed in the attack

The couple's son and daughter, Justin and Karen, are flying out to Nelspruit, 81 miles north-east of Johannesburg.

Nick Sheppard, spokesman for the British High Commission in Pretoria, said: "Mr Conway is heavily sedated but awake. He's fully aware of what happened to him and his wife.

"He can't talk but he can write. How much he can tell police, we don't know yet.

"The British Consul, Paul Seaby, has visited Mr Conway and he has been talking to the police and authorities."