VILLAGERS in Ham used a heart made of candles to send their love and prayers to a woman who is still in a coma in hospital, after she was attacked in her own home by her son.

Earlier today Swindon magistrates were told of Mrs Linda Holford's critical condition, as they remanded her son James Wells, 42, of Seymour Road, Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, in custody, charged with the attempted murder of his mother and his stepfather Adrian Holford.

Mrs Holford is the churchwarden and Mr Holford the PCC treasurer at All Saints Church in Ham. Yesterday the vicar the Rev Dr Colin Heber-Percy said: "These are two deeply committed people, devoted to this community.

"We are broken-hearted about this, and my heart goes out to Adrian, who must be in such pain at the moment not being able to see Lin.

"This is a terribly difficult situation. The coronavirus means the church is closed, and it also means we cannot go and visit them."

So villagers came up with the idea of creating the heart of light. Rev Heber-Percy said: "We can't, and must not, gather to pray for them, so this way people can show they are thinking of them," adding "We can't, and must not, gather to pray for them, so this way people can show they are thinking of them."

Mrs Holford is still in a critical condition at the Southampton General Hospital head injuries unit, where it is understood she is being treated for stab wounds allegedly caused by a screwdriver. Her husband Adrian was yesterday said to be up and about, having been taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

In court today James Wells did not enter pleas to the allegations he attempted to murder his mother and stepfather, and spoke only to confirm his personal details. Members of the family were in court for his brief appearance, and he was remanded in custody to appear again before Bristol Crown Court on May 1. His lawyer, Tori Adams, made no application for bail.

The alarm was raised when police were called to reports of a disturbance in the small hamlet of Ham around 7.30pm on Monday and paramedics then found the injured couple inside their home.

Inspector Chris Martin said: “There is likely to be a police presence at the address until the end of the week as we continue with our investigation, so if you live locally please do not be alarmed by this.”