PRAYERS were said at a service of reflection held in memory of the five Ipswich women murdered.Mourners lit candles and were united in song as they remembered prostitutes Tania Nicol, Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.

PRAYERS were said at a service of reflection held in memory of the five Ipswich women murdered.

Mourners lit candles and were united in song as they remembered prostitutes Tania Nicol, Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.

The service was held at St Peters Church, Church Lane, Copdock, at 5.30pm and was led by the Reverend Chris Wingfield, the rector of the North Samford Benefice.

The bodies of Miss Adams and Miss Nicol were discovered in Belstead Brook in the benefice earlier this month.

Rev Wingfield said: “The prayers concentrated on the family and friends and those who have been touched by this terrible tragedy as well as support agencies and the police investigation but it was a chance for the whole community to reach out and pay their respects.

“We also said a prayer for the killer or killers, whoever they may be, in so much as they live in a very dark and dreadful world and we hope some realisation comes to them of the havoc and fear that they are causing and that justice will prevail.”

Revd Wingfield said the church was kept open until 8pm for those who could not make the earlier start but wanted to come along for some quiet reflection.

He added: “It's a simple twist of fate that takes us down one path rather than another. And the events of the past few weeks only underline the fragility of life.

“The service was one of compassion not condemnation and we were seeking peace rather than persecution.”

Donations received on the night were given to the Iceni Project, a drug treatment centre based in Ipswich which offers a free and confidential support and advice service for all those affected by substance misuse.

§ Church 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. See tonight's Evening Star for details.