The parents of Soho bomb blast victim Julian Dykes today thanked the people of Colchester for their messages of support.

Mr Dykes, 26, was caught up in the blast at the Admiral Duncan pub in London last Friday and is still unconscious in hospital, unaware that his wife Andrea, who was carrying their unborn baby, was killed.

Today his parents Derek and Pat Dykes issued a statement through Scotland Yard.

It said: "We are so grateful for the country's concern and will make a full statement when Julian has regained consciousness and he and all his immediate family are informed of Andrea's death.

"We are Christians and we have found strength in our faith."

Julian's friend John Light, 32, of Mill Street, also died from wounds he received in the blast.

He and Andrea both worked at the Gala Bingo Club in Osborne Street, Colchester, where floral tributes have been piling up. They and their other friend Gary Partridge had been part of a group on their way to see hit musical Mama Mia! when the nail bomb exploded.

Today, management at the Prince Edward theatre which is staging the Abba-inspired show, said they had offered the families complimentary tickets in memory of their loved ones.

Mr Partridge, also of Mill Street, Colchester, was in a stable condition in Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

Colchester Gay Switchboard today sent a message of support to all those caught up in the bombing.

A statement from the group said: "The gay community of Colchester expresses sympathy to all those involved in the Soho bombing.

"Special thoughts go out to all the people, their partners and their loved ones."

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