THE Vale of Evesham is in mourning this week following the M25 motorway tragedy which claimed the lives of six people.

A wave of sympathy has swept through the area following the news.

The Mayor of Evesham, councillor Diana Raphael, and the Reverend Richard Armitage have opened a book of condolence at All Saints' Church for indiv-iduals to express their feelings.

Coun Raphael said: "People are so saddened - they don't know what to do to help.

"Almost everybody in the town is either affected or knows someone that is, and it has hit us all very hard."

Five Vale people died along with a woman from Alcester when the WR Spring coach carrying 44 day-trippers veered off the motorway and careered down an embank-ment.

Many other passengers suffered a range of injuries from minor to life threatening. One patient remains on the critical list.

A spokesman from Wex-ham Park Hospital, in Slough, said her condition was stable yesterday.

Family liaison officers from Thames Valley Police and West Mercia have been with the families.

A press officer for West Mercia police, Carl Baldacchino, said: "Specially trained officers have been assigned to the families and the other passengers as part of the police investigation.

"Our officers will be advising those who need counselling to go to their doctors who will put them in touch with professional help."