The vicar who married tragic bomb blast couple Julian and Andrea Dykes spoke yesterday of the "palpable sense of sadness" that the atrocity brought to their community.

The Rev David Thomas, rector of St Mary the Virgin Church in Wivenhoe, said people in the village where Julian was brought up had been "deeply shocked" to hear he and his wife had been caught up in the blast.

Mr Thomas said: "Everybody in the community was very, very shocked to hear the news, particularly about a couple who have been married in this church.

"The family is well-known and respected in Wivenhoe and Julian's grandparents have lived here a good many years.

"There was a considerable degree of shock and surprise when I announced the sad news this morning and people were very respectful. There was a palpable sense of sadness because a lot of people knew Julian."

"The news has come as a major shock," he added. "People feel sad and upset because it has brought the reality of the bombing close to them at home."

Mr Dykes's grandparents cut short a holiday to return home to the village when they heard the news.

"The family are feeling very grief-stricken and concerned to have their privacy and be able to reflect on events on their own.

"Their grandson is lying very seriously injured in hospital and they are feeling a great sense of sadness at the loss of his wife," Mr Thomas said.

Friends and family packed the 15th century church on Sunday and sang hymns including All Things Bright and Beautiful and Give Me Joy In My Heart.

Prayers were said in remembrance of Andrea and for the recovery of Julian.

Mr Thomas said: "They were a very nice, pleasant, quiet couple and that is how I will remember them together. Andrea was a very quiet person but a lovely person."

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