Nicky Millar's cause of death has been given as deep vein thrombosis brought on by pneumonia – the same condition which killed her grandfather when he was just 38.

Her body was flown home to Scotland on Monday August 5 but the authorities have still to verify the verdict of the Egyptian officials before it can be released for her funeral.

Blood clot

At their home in the Borders town of Selkirk, Nicky's stunned parents were still coming to terms with the tragedy.

They revealed she had suffered a bout of pneumonia around a month before flying out to the resort of Sharm el Sheikh but had recovered sufficiently to get the all-clear to travel.

Her parents are accepting the conclusion of the Egyptian authorities that a blood clot caused her death.

Nicky flew out with long term boyfriend George Black, who she lived with in Galashiels, and everything had seemed normal until the second last day.

Nicky, who worked as a financial controller for Baxter Johnston Oils in Dalkeith, had decided to have an early night after declining her evening meal.

Ray of sunshine

At around 5am Mr Black heard her choke and a cough and then she died instantly.

Her mother Pat said: "It is comforting that it all happened so quickly but it is still hard to accept it.

"We got a phone call about 6am from George and it was just devastating.

"She was our wee ray of sunshine and never say anything bad in anybody.

"We both had this virus about three or four months ago and although she insisted she felt fine and had been given the all-clear by her doctor I was still worried about her going.

"I even spoke to her about it the night before she went when she was packing but she just said I worried too much.

Marvellous daughter

"I don't think it was anything to do with the six hour flight there.

"She had pneumonia the month previous and it has been extremely hot over there which could have led to it.

"She was over it and appeared fine but who knows how these things work.

"Her grandfather died aged 38 of the same thing and her father has had heart problems so it appears to be hereditary.

"She went to Egypt twice a year with George and loved it there as they had a bungalow at the hotel which was on the beach.

"Nicky also went out with plastic bags full of things for local children as they knew people out there.

"She was a marvellous daughter and a great auntie to her brother's kids."

Kind messages

Dad Allan added: "She was as happy as larry and looks great in the photos that were taken in Egpyt.

"I cannot believe what has happened.

"We have been overwhelmed by the kind messages we have received about Nicky from some people we don't even know.

"They obviously thought a lot of her."

Nicky, who grew up in Letham, Angus, attended agricultural college before spending several years serving in the RAF as a credit controller.

She had lived with George for the past six years in Galashiels and the couple spent most weekends sea fishing off the Berwickshire coast.

The tragedy happened on Tuesday, July 29, and her family are hoping her body will be released soon to allow her funeral service to take place.