THE GRIEVING family of Gwenne Mayor were today coming to terms with the brutal death of their 45-year-old daughter-in-law.

Mrs Mayor died along with 16 of her pupils when crazed gunman Thomas Hamilton burst into her Dunblane classroom.

The elderly parents of her husband Rodney Mayor were being comforted by local clergymen and relatives at their home in Green Street, Great Harwood.

Thomas and Frances Mayor were too upset to talk to reporters from local and national newspapers about the tragic death of their daughter.

Neighbours and relatives in Great Harwood were too distressed to talk about the tragedy which has hit the Mayor family.

Rodney and Gwenne, moved to Scotland around 20 years ago and the couple had too young daughters Esther and Deborah who are both students at a local university. Gwenne is reported to have originally come from Cheshire but the Mayor family still have strong links in the Great Harwood.

Mrs Mayor's father, Mr William Kenneth Hodson, is a retire police officer who served Great Harwood.

Mr Hodson, 82, now lives in Penrith and is believed to be a widower.

A Preston man, he served in Great Harwood and Accrington during his police career.

The Rev Elizabeth Hodgkiss, of Great Harwood Central Methodist Church,said: "I have promised the family there will be complete confidentiality. As their minister I cannot speak to the press.

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