A former army major has spoken of the moment he tackled a gunman who murdered his wife while the couple were in South Africa.

Diane Conway was shot and killed in the couple's hotel room two weeks ago.

Retired soldier John Conway was shot in the throat during the fight with the armed robber.

On Tuesday, the 55-year-old was back at his home in Warminster, Wiltshire, after undergoing surgery in South Africa.

I have no regrets about the trip

John Conway

Mr Conway had taken his wife on her first trip to the republic to celebrate her 60th birthday.

But on the last day of their 10-day trip, they were followed back to their hotel room in Pilgrim's Rest, near the Kruger National Park by a man who demanded cash.

When Mr Conway refused, three shots were fired, one of them hitting his wife in the stomach. She died at the scene.

Mr Conway said: "I have no regrets about the trip because I wanted to show my wife how marvellous it is.

"I don't have regrets about the actions I took either.

"But I do regret that the man decided to fire that third round that killed my wife.

Mrs Conway was killed in the attack

"I did recognise the weapon he was holding and the calibre.

"You have to make an instant decision about the risk posed to you by this person in your room - but you have mere nanoseconds."

Mr Conway, who served for 10 years in Northern Ireland had been to Africa on business on several occasions.

An inquest into the death of Mrs Conway was opened and adjourned on Friday.

A memorial service for her will be held at Christ Church, Warminster, on Wednesday, followed by a cremation.

A 19-year-old man is due to appear in court in South Africa charged with murder, robbery, and alleged murder on 20 November.