VIGILS have been held each night this week in the church that a murdered mother and her teenage daughter attended.

St Paul’s, Spalding, in Lincoln, has been open for prayers and services every night, after the discovery of the bodies of Liz Edwards and her 13-year-old daughter Katie, at their home last Friday.

Two teenagers — a boy and a girl, both aged 14 — appeared in court on Tuesday charged with the murders.

Ms Edwards was a lunchtime supervisor at St Paul’s C of E Primary School, and also ran the children’s choir at the church and its drama club, besides helping with Messy Church.

The Assistant Curate of Spalding, the Revd Michael Chesher, said on Tuesday: “Liz was a totally dependable person of complete integrity who was completely committed to our church community. Through her helping with Drama Club, she began attending church with Katie and her other daughter, Kim; and all three were confirmed two years ago.

“Katie was in the drama group from the beginning, and then in the choir; so I have got to know them really well these past three-and-a-half years. Katie hasn’t changed one bit from being the gentle, considerate, and lovable girl I knew as a nine-year-old.

“It is so cruel and shocking that this has happened to these two wonderful people, and we at St Paul’s, the children in the choir, as well as all the children and staff at school, and in the wider community, are going to miss them so very much.”