Family, friends and fellow pupils descended on a church in Trowse tonight in an emotional but dignified silence to light candles in memory of talented teenager Maisie Baxter.

More than 100 people attended the powerful and poignant event at St Andrew's Church, Trowse, where they lit candles, signed a book of condolence and came together to remember with each other the 13-year-old Framingham Earl High Pupil whose body was found at the weekend.

The event was the idea of Canon Michael Long, priest-in-charge at St Andrew's Church, who opened the church between 7pm and 9pm after meeting with the family this morning.

He said: 'I said I'm willing to open the church and let people know so they can light a candle and they said yes. It gives people an opportunity to do something - I think they wanted to do something.'

Canon Long said the family, who live in Trowse, were bereft and very shocked but added the 'bond' between them was such they were taking it 'as well as anyone possibly could'.

He described Maisie, who attended an after school Chill Out club at the church which ran fortnightly on a Thursday as a 'very talented musician' who played the piano and sang.

Canon Long added the teenagers attending the church were a 'marvellous' support to each other at what was such a difficult time for everyone who knew and loved Maisie.

The church will be open tomorrow between 7pm and 9pm for those wanting to pay their respects to Maisie by lighting a candle and on Wednesday from 10.30am until noon for those who cannot get there at night.