He has left a lasting legacy.

Those of the words of Romsey Male Voice Choir’s chairman Geoff Skinner paying tribute to a leading light with the organisation - Nigel Charlton who died with his wife in a helicopter crash in New Zealand.

Nigel, 66, and Helen lived at Dunbridge near Mottisfont and both died in Saturday’s tragedy when a chopper carrying tourists went down on Fox Glacier on South Island - killing all seven aboard.

Dunbridge has been left in shock following the retired couple’s deaths.

And Romsey Male Voice of which Nigel was a member for 15 years has also been left stunned.

Speaking about Nigel’s work with Romsey Male Voice Choir which included the role of librarian, Geoff said: “Nigel was a member of the bass section and he had an excellent voice and, sang in front row at concerts.

“He was custodian of over 100 pieces of sheet music in the library and archives. Each piece of music he recorded onto USB sticks in four parts, first tenor, second tenor, baritone and bass plus all four sections together in harmony and issued to over 60 Romsey Male Voice Choir members.

"These enable the choristers to learn the songs so that Romsey Male Voice Choir sings without words or music. This USB stick task took hours and is a legacy that Nigel will leave to Romsey Male Voice Choir. He was working on the programme that Romsey Male Voice Choir will sing in the Royal Albert Hall at the invitation of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir next October, including seven songs in Welsh.

"It is difficult to know how he will be replaced as Romsey Male Voice Choir librarian. He probably won’t and what he undertook will probably have to be divided between a number of other members of the choir."

Nigel and Helen left about six weeks ago for the trip to New Zealand and it is understood the couple were due to return next week.

"We have known them since we moved here in 2003 and are going to miss them both terribly. They were well-known and liked in the village," said Margaret Astur who lives with husband Clive at Barley Hill –the street where the Charltons made their home in the village many years ago.

Nigel was a retired dentist who ran a practice at Totton and Helen, 70, managed the office.

Both were involved in community life in Mottisfont parish which includes Dunbridge. Nigel was compere of Mottisfont’s popular annual fete - a job had successfully done for many years.

Mike Horne from the Fete Committee said: "Nigel was compere for a number of years. He had his own beautiful way of doing it and he was always gentle with the children. Helen used to knit animal toys for the guess the name competition at the fete. She did that for many years. Everyone is extremely shocked by what has happened. It is going to take some time before people come to terms with this."

Kaye Taylor who runs the Mill Arms pub in the village said it was shocking news.

"It’s very sad for the village and we send our condolences to their family. It’s really dreadful for such a small village with not many houses," said Kaye.

Jacqui Millns, who lives at Mottisfont added: "We knew Nigel and Helen for about 25 years and during the last five years had become quite close to them. Helen and I sold crafts at the fete for the last three years. I am devastated because we have lost two really generous friends. We loved our gardens and Helen enjoyed knitting and I like needlework," said Jacqui.

Nigel was a train buff and into model railways and he even built his own signal box in the garden of his home - close to Mottisfont & Dunbridge railway station.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said the Government department was unable to comment on what might have led to the helicopter crash which claimed the Dunbridge’s couple lives but said: “We are providing consular assistance to their families at this difficult time".

Nigel and Helen had two sons Jason and Daniel who spent their childhood in the area and also three grandchildren.