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A grandmother and granddaughter who were killed in a car crash near Fochriw earlier this month have been named by police – with family describing them as “happy” and “loving”.

Denise Hughes, 79, and Justine Hughes, 30, died at the scene of the crash, which happened on Fochriw Road at around 10.15am on Tuesday, July 19.

They were in a blue Citroen C3, which was involved in a collision with a white Ford Ranger.

A three-year-old boy was also in the Citroen during the crash and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He remains in a stable condition.

A 22-year-old man, who was in the Ford Ranger, was also taken to hospital with serious injuries and is in a stable condition.

A tribute from the family was issued to the media through Gwent Police.

The tribute said: “Denise was tragically taken from us. A lovely wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who was adored by all. She loved and was loved, always willing to help anyone where she could. We all looked at her as the head of the family.

“Words cannot express the pain we feel but thanks to the support of family and friends it is made more bearable. To say she will be missed would be an understatement.

“Justine, such a young, happy woman that sadly had her young life cut tragically short.

“A life that promised so much but ended in tragedy. A loving mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and niece who gave as much love as she received.

“A mother to Megan and Rowan, they will grow up knowing how kind, happy and loving their mother was. They will never be allowed to forget.”

The tribute continued: “We would like to say thank you to all those at the open cast quarry that helped and were so kind, the members of the public that stopped and tried to help and to all the emergency services for their assistance.

“The family would kindly ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Police confirmed the family were receiving support from specialist officers, and said enquiries were ongoing.

Anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage – or any motorists who were on Fochriw Road between 9.45am and 10.15am of the day of the crash – have been urged to contact police.

Gwent Police can be contacted on 101 – or through direct message on social media – quoting log reference 2200241300.