A BOOK of condolence has been was opened at Blackburn Cathedral for the families of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

The bodies of the 10-year-old girls were found on Saturday -- 15 miles from their homes in Soham -- after a thirteen-day search.

Now people in East Lancashire, coming to terms with the deaths, can leave messages in the book.

It will be sent to the Reverend Tim Alban Jones of St Andrews Church, Soham, and then passed on to the families.

Canon David Galilee said the book was a way for people to come to terms with every parent's worst nightmare. "The tragedy peaked at weekend when the pair of little souls were found dead" he said. "The scenes this weekend in church in Soham clearly revealed that people needed an outlet to show sympathy for and solidarity with the parents.

"Setting up this book is a simple way of telling that close-knit community that we are with them.

"The question 'why?' is on everyone's lips. That is when we realise that part of evil is its absurdity."

He said condolence books had become a "ritual" since the death of Princess Diana.

Candles have already been lit at the back of the Cathedral in the children's memory.

A book of condolence has also been opened on the internet.

The website, called Soham Tragedy, will be transcribed into a permanent memorial and can currently be accessed via a link on the Cambridgeshire Police site at www.cambs.police.uk/soham.

The website condolence book received more than 4,000 messages from people worldwide in its first six hours. Gladys Collinge, 78, of The Evergreens, Blackburn, tenderly left a message as a "fellow grieving mother" at the Cathedral.

She said: "I lost my daughter a couple of years ago but fortunately she was an adult so I can begin to understand the looming hole which has appeared in this poor family's life. I feel sorry for the other siblings who will have to live with this horror for the rest of their lives. It is diabolical."

And nine-year-old Cameo Mfeery signed the book with her family "with deepest sympathy -- a tragic loss".

The last book of condolence to be set up at the Cathedral followed the death of the Queen Mother. Other books have been opened for victims of the September 11 tragedy and Diana Princess of Wales.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Coun Tony Humphrys said people had expressed sadness at the deaths of Holly and Jessica at many of his recent civic engagements.

"Everywhere we've been, especially over the last couple of days, mums and dads have been talking about it and saying how concerned they were," he said.