THE Archbishop of Canterbury has praised granddad Ron Tocknell for showing compassion towards the man who stabbed his grandchildren to death.

During a pilgrimage in the Forest Dr Rowan Williams spoke highly of Mr Tocknell who has thanked the people of the Forest for their goodwill.

The Archbishop said he was moved by the Lydney grandfather's open tribute to 35-year-old Ceri Fuller, the son-in-law who killed the three children before jumping off a cliff in a Shropshire quarry.

Dr Williams said it was an incredibly moving and forgiving gesture, bearing in mind the temptation to become bitter.

He said: "He must be a very big man.

"To speak as he spoke, he must have a huge amount of compassion and I admire him enormously."

The Archbishop arrived in Coleford as the town continued to grieve for Sam, 12, Rebecca Rose, aged eight, seven-year-old Charlotte Mae and their father Ceri Fuller, 35.

Before setting off from Victoria Road, near to St John's CofE Primary School in Coleford where all three children had attended, the Archbishop said the job of the church was to be there for people.

He signed a book of condolence and said a short prayer for the family and the community at the entrance to the Angus Buchanan VC Recreation Ground.

He then led a pilgrimage of around 60 churchgoers to All Saints' Church in Newland.

Simultaneously, pilgrimages set off from Clearwell and Redbrook led by the Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Rev Michael Perham and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Rev John Went.

Hundreds gathered for the service in the Cathedral of the Forest which ended a three-day visit and was led by Bishop Michael.

The tragedy was referred to several times.

After the service he shook hands with everybody leaving.

Coleford vicar the Rev Alan Wearmouth said: "It's wonderful for the community to come together for an uplifting occasion and to have our pastor in our parish with us at such a difficult time."

Coleford's mayor Sue Merrikin praised Dr Williams for the 'spiritual' tone of the service.

Full report in this week's Forester.