THE Bishop of Gloucester has pledged to do all he can to help police investigate the murder of Thornbury vicar the Rev John Suddards.

The body of Mr Suddards, 49, was discovered was found in the hallway of the St Mary's Parish Church vicarage yesterday after builders who arrived to carry out some work failed to get an answer when they knocked on the door.

A caretaker provided a spare key to the premises in Castle Street and the grim discovery was made by the workmen at about 10.20am.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am in a position to confirm now that body found yesterday in the vicarage was Reverend John Suddards.

“He suffered multiple stab wounds, and therefore this is now a murder investigation.

“A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.”

The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Michael Perham and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Revd John Went issued a statement today saying:

“We were shocked and saddened to hear the news.

"The Diocese of Gloucester will do everything it can to assist the police in their investigations.

"John had only been Vicar of Thornbury with Oldbury and Shepperdine since last summer, but was already making a significant contribution to the life of the Diocese of Gloucester."

"We are continuing to hold the community in our prayers."

The RT Revd John Went today spoke at a eucharist service at St Paul’s Church in Thornbury, where he reminded parishioners they were “part of a fallen humanity where tragic events happen”.

He said: “It’s good to come and share with you this morning in the eucharist as we come to terms with tragedy.

“Our hearts very much go out to you as a church community and a wider community that will be stunned at this time and will have so much to come to terms with over the coming months and indeed years.”

Mr Suddards moved to Thornbury from Witham in Essex after serving the church there for 22 years.

The vicarage and surrounding roads were sealed off by police officers called to the scene next near the luxury Thornbury Castle hotel and remained closed last night.

Scenes of crime officers were brought in and the police helicopter circled overhead.

A pathologist attended the premises and Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp, leading the investigation, said the death was being treated as suspicious.

DCI Crisp, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, appealed for anyone with information to contact the police and apologised for the disruption caused by the road closures, which prevented people getting to the church and graveyard.

He said a full search of the area was being carried out.

DCI Crisp said: "I would like to appeal to anyone with any information on this incident to get in touch. Please contact us by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

"I would like to thank local residents for their co-operation as we carry out this investigation."

Resident Pam Preedy, of Hyde Avenue, said: "I knew the roads had been closed off but didn't know why. I didn't expect anything like this. It's awful."

Police stepped up patrols in the town to reassure local residents.

Mr Suddards was only inducted as vicar of the church and nearby St Arilda's in Oldbury-on-Severn last July at a service conducted by the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Rev Michael Perham.

He had been a barrister but switched career after a serious car accident.

He replaced the Rev David Primrose, whose wife Alison was until recently head of Bristol Grammar School lower school, when the couple moved to Staffordshire.

Peter Craig, one of the St Mary's church wardens, and his wife, Hilary, visited the church as the investigation continued.

Mr Craig said: "We are still in shock. He was well known in the church community, was settling in and had a lot of plans for the future."

Although new to the parish, Mr Suddards was seen by a large number of people at the Christmas services in St Mary's just a few weeks ago.

A church member, who did not wish to be named, said: "Everyone is in deep shock".

At last night's meeting of Thornbury Town Council a minute's silence was held for Mr Suddards.