Vicarage Death Treated As 'Suspicious'

Police have said they are treating the death of a man found in a Thornbury Vicarage as 'suspicious'.

The man has been widely reported as being the Reverend John Suddards, 59. The body was discovered yesterday after builders who were due to carry out maitenence entered the property.

Mr Suddards, a clergyman for 22 years, began working in the town in July last year after transferring from a parish in Witham, Essex.

The Diocese of Glouster is refusing to identify the man until police confirmation is given, but in a joint statement with The Bishop of Gloucester, Right Revd Michael Perham and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Revd John Went said: "We were shocked and saddened to hear the news that a man's body has been found in Thornbury vicarage."

"The Diocese of Gloucester will do everything it can to assist the police in their investigations. We are continuing to hold the community in our prayers".

Police say they have launched an investigation and a post mortem examination is due to be held in the coming days.