A church vigil is taking place tonight for the Rev John Suddards who was found stabbed to death in his vicarage last week.

The vigil will start at 22:00 GMT at St Mary’s Church in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, where Rev Suddards had been serving for just six months.

Around 300 people attended a memorial service at the church on Friday where the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Michael Perham described Rev Suddards as a “fine priest”.

“I mourn his death both as a human being and as a Christian minister,” he said.

Rev Suddards was found inside the vicarage close to St Mary’s church last Tuesday. He had multiple stab wounds.

Police arrested 47-year-old Stephen Farrow in connection with the death over the weekend.

Officers have linked the murder of Rev Suddards with the death of a retired teacher, 77-year-old Betty Yates, who was found at her cottage near Bewdley, Worcestershire, last month.