TWO girls killed in a Weymouth house fire were inseparable in life, their family said today.

In a moving tribute, Peter and Jacqueline Meadows said their daughter Mary, 13, and seven-year-old granddaughter Laura were always together and would be missed terribly by their brothers and sisters.

The girls died in a blaze at a house in Corporation Road, Westham.

Fire fighters managed to save three children from the fire, which also seriously injured two adults.

Mr Meadows, of Southdown Avenue in Preston, said: "Laura was always very helpful and went everywhere Mary went. They threw everything into what they did and both had a real zest for life.

"Laura was very loveable and keen to show you all the things she did at school or church. She was a very friendly and bubbly girl who would always help people - always helping her brothers and sisters."

Mr Meadows, who works as a site engineer for a caravan park in Weymouth, added: "The deaths of Mary and Laura are a tragic loss."

Mr Meadows said he and his wife Jacqueline wanted to thank friends and the public for their support.

He said: "We would like to thank everyone who has helped us during this awful ordeal. The police, who were very understanding, the ambulance and fire service as well as the doctors and nurses in Dorchester and Southampton."

Mr Meadows added: "We have also had a lot of support from the children's church, their Sunday schools and also their schools.

Laura was a pupil at St Andrew's Primary School in Littlemoor Road. She also went to St Andrew's Church on Southwell, Portland.

St Andrew's School headteacher Vanessa Lucas said: "We have done everything we can to support the children at this tragic time."

Residents on Mary Meadows's paper round will miss her, said Preston newsagent Chris Joy.

Mrs Joy said Mary had delivered papers since turning 13 last December, and had come in early on Saturday morning before heading off to the Hallowe'en party.

The five other people caught up in the fire were all improving or stable in hospital this morning.

Laura Meadows's five-year-old brother and seven-year-old sister were both improving in the children's ward at Dorset County Hospital. Her eight-year-old sister, who was taken to Southampton General, was also improving.

Their father, 27, was improving in Dorset County Hospital, and a 25yearold woman was 'stable'.