SPECIAL prayers have been said for all seven people killed in the head-on collision on the A429 Fosseway near Stow last Friday night.

Reverend David Francis, vicar of St Edward's Church, Stow, led prayers for all those who died and for the two children, who are battling for their lives in hospital in Bristol.

"At all three Sunday services we remembered the family, those immediately involved and the bereaved, obviously their neighbours and those who knew them. We also remembered the emergency services," said Rev Francis today.

Those declared dead at the scene of the crash were 53-year-old John Kirby, who was driving a green VW Passat heading towards Stow when it was in collision with a grey Peugeot 306 at around 9.20pm.

The Peugeot is believed to have been overtaking a red Kia car as it headed towards Moreton.

All four passengers in the Peugeot were declared dead at the scene. They were Jason Brain, 35, his daughter Natasha Didcote,15, a pupil at chipping Campden School, friend Michola Jones, 31, and Mr Brain's cousin 20-year-old Ryan Bott from Milton-under-Wychwood near Chipping Norton.

Mr Brain lived in Moreton until recently though it is believed he recently moved back to his parents home in King George's Field, Stow. Natasha is understood to have been living with her father and grandparents.

Mr Kirby's wife, Maggie, 61, who was a housekeeper at the Grapevine Hotel in Stow and was chairman of the women's section of the town's Royal British Legion died later in hospital.

The couple's disabled daughter, Julie Kirby, 34, who lived with her parents at The Park, Stow, also died in hospital as a result of chest injuries received in the crash.

The Kirby's two grandchildren, Adam Stone, 10, and his sister Sophie, 9, pupils at Stow Primary School, are being treated in hospital for head and abdominal injuries.

Their parents, Tina and Nick Stone, are at their bed sides.

Floral tributes have been laid at the scene of the accident.