Sea of flowers 'like Diana's'

The churchyard in Soham is now awash with at least 10,000 floral bouquets to Holly and Jessica, prompting comparisons with the scenes following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

As mourners with flowers continued to flood to St Andrews today, the vicar described the unprecedented outpouring of emotion in his parish as “staggering”.

The Rev Tim Alban Jones has presided over a steady stream of visitors from far and wide, bearing bouquets, cuddly toys and messages of sympathy to the families of the tragic 10-year-olds.

Ever since the first tributes began arriving at the weekend, the church lawn has become increasingly obscured by stalks and blooms.

Several people remarked today on the similarity with Diana’s death, when thousands of flowers poured into Kensington Palace.

Joyce Froud, 71, said: “I’ve never seen such an overwhelming display since Princess Diana. They’ve come from all over the world. It’s very moving.”

Mrs Froud, visiting from Newmarket with her husband Terry, 73, and their granddaughters Francesca Tuck, 12, and Isabella Tuck, seven, went on: “We had to come. The children wanted to see it.”

Mr Froud added: “We are both retired headteachers so we have been very affected by what has happened.”

Bernadette Brown, 57, from Ely, said: “It’s so overwhelming. It’s another Princess Diana all over again. It’s very sad.”

Messages on the floral tributes showed they had been sent from all corners of the UK and the world.

The tag on one hand-tied posy said: “Flowers given from my garden with such sadness. Why, why, why?”

Another said: “To Holly and Jessica, we write this with extreme sadness that in this world we couldn’t protect you.”

Flowers have arrived not just from individuals but companies and workforces. One is from the staff at Tesco’s in nearby Hinckley, another from the players of Cambridge United Football Club, and another from the security staff at Luton Airport.

Manchester United – Jessica and Holly’s favourite team – have already sent bouquets to the parents, the club said.

In the churchyard, one impressive 3ft high arrangement of roses bears the tag: “God bless their souls, from all the inmates on Garforth Unit, HM Prison, Ryehill.”

Another is from the staff of the world’s Australian Embassies, apparently on the orders of Prime Minister John Howard.

Methodist minister Alan Ashton said he had heard that more than 3,000 cards of sympathy had arrived by post at the families of Jessica and Holly, and a further 500 were delivered through the church.

Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire Police announced that more than 92,000 messages had been sent to the official memorial website from across the world between 8am on Tuesday and 3pm today.

Inside the church there are now six books of remembrance, all almost full with messages of condolence.

A large stone table bearing hundreds of candles lit for the girls has now been extended by two benches and a large tray. More than 1,000 flames burn for Jessica and Holly.

Mr Alban Jones said: “I continue to be overwhelmed by the number of tributes that people have made.

“It is staggering to see how many hearts this tragedy has touched.

“Each of those bouquets tells a story and all are moving.”

Two Samaritans have been patrolling the churchyard, discretely offering support to anyone that looks as though they might appreciate it.

One of the two women, who did not want to be named, said: “People sometimes just want to talk and we are here to listen. People are saying how awful it is and people with children of a similar age are really angry.

“We have spoken to a few whose children are going back to the school where Holly and Jessica were, and they are dreading the day.”