SIX months ago, Didcot was rocked by the tragic deaths of six-year-old Derin, and her parents Janet Jordon and Philip Howard.

Town mayor Des Healy has said the people of the town still held the family very much in its thoughts.

Jed Allen, 21, killed his three relatives on May 21 this year and was found dead in woodland off Marston Ferry Road in Oxford two days later.

Next week All Saints Primary School, where Allen’s half-sister six-year-old Derin was a pupil, will have a prayer space open.

Mr Healy said Didcot was a “small town with a big heart”, adding: “The town has tried to cope and move on with life, not forgetting the tragedy for one minute.”

Oxford Coroner’s Court last week heard that Allen used a hunting knife to stab his mother Janet Jordon, Derin, and her father Philip Howard. A verdict of unlawful killing was recorded.

The Rev Hugh Boorman, minister of the Ladygrove Church which meets at All Saints’ Primary School, said the inquest had brought back memories of the tragedy.

He said the church is to open a prayer space at the school in Tamar Way from Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 4, to mark the celebration of Advent.

The minister added: “The little one went to the school and the prayer space gives children the opportunity to reflect.

“The family was well known in the town, so many people had come into contact with them.

“On the Tuesday, December 1, and Thursday, December 3, parents will also be invited into the prayer space.”

Labour town councillor Margaret Davies said it would take time for the town as a whole to heal after the tragedy.

She added that Jed Allen had been working as a gardener for the town council, and was the council’s first apprentice.

Mrs Davies said multi-coloured ribbons put up all over the town following the deaths were “a reminder of what a terrible tragedy it was”.

The former town council leader added: “It was a tragedy in which four people lost their lives.

“It was very much unprecedented.”