Readings from flight recorders indicate there were no technical problems with the Soviet-made plane which crashed on Saturday killing the Polish president and 95 other people.

In footage broadcast on Poland’s TVN24 today, investigators told Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that the pilot was warned of bad weather over the airport in Smolensk, western Russia, before the plane crashed while trying to land.

Shrewsbury’s sitting MP Daniel Kawczynski today spoke of his “shock and devastation” over the death of President Lech Kaczynski, who he said was a friend of many years standing.

Yesterday thousands paid silent tribute in the streets of Poland’s cities, the two minutes of silence were preceded by the pealing of bells and din of emergency sirens for nearly a minute.

President Kaczynski’s body was returned to Warsaw yesterday. Forensic experts were working to identify other bodies, including that of his wife, but said DNA tests would be necessary in many cases.

Mr Kawczynski said the president had been due to visit his home in Shawbury later this year and he had been looking forward to taking him on a tour of Shrewsbury to build economic ties between the town and Warsaw.

Mr Kawczynski said: “He was a personal family friend of mine and my mother.

“We’ve been to see him in Warsaw and he’s been to see us here in England.

“I’m devastated by the tragic loss of a friend.

The president had been on his way to mark 70 years since the Katyn massacre of thousands of Poles by Soviet forces.

By Emma Kasprzak