A SPECIAL candlelit church service was to be held at Copdock today as the community try to come to terms with the horror that has shaken the village.The short service of prayer and reflection will be held at St Peter's Copdock, Church Lane, close to the area in which the bodies of the first two victims, Gemma Adams and Tania Nicol, were discovered.

A SPECIAL candlelit church service was due to be held at Copdock today as the community try to come to terms with the horror that has shaken the village.

A week to the day after Tania Nicol's body was discovered in a stream at HG Gladwell and Sons, a short service of prayer and reflection will be held at St Peter's Copdock, Church Lane. The service is being held to remember the 19-year-old and Gemma Adams whose body was found near Hintlesham in a different part of the same stream.

The Reverend Chris Wingfield, rector of the North Samford Benefice, which includes Belstead Brook, said: “There's a need for the community coming together, for a space to express what they're feeling, an oasis to be still.”

Although he does not feel it is the church in particular to which people turn at a time of such a tragedy, he strongly believes that in this kind of situation the community require “spiritual refreshment” and a sense of collectiveness.

He urged anyone who has been moved by the events to come along, and added: “It's a simple twist of fate that takes us down one path rather than another. Today's service will concentrate on compassion not condemnation, and we'll be seeking peace rather than persecution.”

Open to all, particularly the family and friends of victims and staff involved in the investigation, the service will begin at 5.30pm.

However, the church will remain open until 8pm today, during which time music will be played and prayers will be offered every 15 minutes.

Outside Copdock, services across Suffolk this weekend will include prayers for the family and friends of the victims and all those involved in the police investigation into the crimes.