The tranquillity of a small North-East church has been shattered by forensic evidence possibly linking the congregation to a horrific murder. Mark Summers reports from a Sunday service overshadowed by tragedy.

IT was a typically English scene, as played out in every town, city and village throughout the country.

The peal of bells from 19th Century St Paul's Church, in Ryhope, a former pit village near Sunderland, called worshippers out into bright sunshine and a cutting wind.

About 70 parishioners attended Family Eucharist, as they do every Sunday. But yesterday was different to all the preceding Sundays.

Remarkably, St Paul's has found itself at the centre of police and media attention after being embroiled in the investigation of a schoolgirl's murder which horrified the nation.

DNA taken from saliva on a vestry cup during police enquiries into a burglary at the church last October has been found to match DNA found on clothing in the bedroom of Surrey teenager Amanda "Milly" Dowler, who was abducted and murdered.

The twist in the murder inquiry has shocked the congregation - not least the Reverend David Meakin, vicar at St Paul's, who, along with 45 members of his flock, has given DNA samples for analysis.

Yesterday, as the church held its first Sunday gathering since the news broke, he spoke briefly about the affair at the beginning of the hour-long service.

"We are surprised and shocked at what's happened and I said things that were appropriate to that," he said.

He ridiculed media stories pointing the finger of suspicion at his flock and the fear of a killer in their midst.

"The thought of a community living in fear is utter nonsense. Obviously, it is being talked about and gossiped about, but we are not a community living in fear."

Mr Meakin, 42, who has lived in the parish for five years, said he had never encountered a similar situation before.

"It is a bit of a once-in-a-lifetime thing really," he said.

Tom Thompson, 63, a retired academic who sings in the choir, was among those who gave a DNA sample.

"I gave a swab, which was taken from my mouth, had my picture taken and also gave my fingerprints.

"We were all very surprised to hear about the link but we are a close community where people know each other, so I don't think there's too much to worry about.

"I think it is just a process of elimination for the police.''

Parochial church council member George Gibson, 82, another who gave a sample, said: "I was rather shocked to hear that there might be a link, but I'd be very surprised indeed if anyone here was actually linked to what happened.''

Surrey Police said it would be two weeks before results of the DNA tests were known but added that screening could be widened if a sample provides a positive match.