A COMMUNITY in shock and grief came together for a special service in Thornbury to remember their murdered vicar John Suddards.

Nearly 300 people filled the town's Baptist church last night to hear the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Reverend Michael Perham, speak of the loss of "a good man and faithful minister".

With Mr Suddards' own parish church of St Mary's cordoned off for the police investigation into his violent death, leaders of the nearby Baptist church offered their place of worship for the requiem service and celebration of communion.

Every seat was taken by worshippers from Thornbury and surrounding villages. Many people were in tears as they remembered a man who, although he had only been in the town for some seven months, had made a big impression.

As they arrived for the service, everyone was handed a leaflet by police officers appealing for information. Detective Inspector Joe Gough addressed the congregation before the service, offering his condolences and those of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary to the family and friends of Mr Suddards at a "very, very difficult time".

He said: "I want to reassure everybody that we are determined to bring to justice the person responsible for John's death.

"I would also like to thank the people of Thornbury for their co-operation and patience while we carry out these inquiries."

Bishop Michael said that in the few days since the tragedy, the community had moved on from a first reaction of "stunned, numb disbelieving that such a dreadful thing should happen" to a stage where they wanted to join together to share the sense of shock and grief and to support one another.

He said: "They want to affirm that, despite the awful event, Thornbury is a good community where there is trust and safety. We are grateful to Thornbury Baptist Church for welcoming us into their church, since we cannot yet return to St Mary's.

"That gesture of solidarity is the kind of response that shows this to be a united and resilient community."

It was only last July that Bishop Michael led the service of induction when Mr Suddards became Thornbury's vicar and he told the congregation he was privileged to be back to lead their worship.

He said among the many messages in response to Mr Suddards' death was one from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who assured him he would remember the town in his prayers.

Bishop Michael led prayers for those suffering, especially relatives and friends of Mr Suddards, as well as community leaders, the police and members of the church who were his friends and colleagues.

He also prayed for peace and justice and gave thanks for Mr Suddards' life.

During the service, which lasted for nearly an hour-and-a-half, an invitation was made for people to light candles in memory of the priest.

But so many came forward the act had to be temporarily suspended until after communion was celebrated and final prayers said.