A COMMUNITY has been left in shock after its former vicar was arrested on suspicion of the murder of a baby.


Rev Jim Percival, the former priest in charge of St Stephen’s in Little Harwood, Blackburn was being questioned last night with his wife Susan, 64, and daughter Ruth, 28, after the unexplained death of a baby boy.


Mr Percival and his daughter are being questioned on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.


Mrs Percival, who grew up in Blackburn, was being quizzed on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.


The vicar was a well known figure in Blackburn, presiding over the church between 1999 and 2003.


Parishioners at St Stephen’s have reacted with surprise to news of his arrest.
One said: “A lot of people round here will be shocked by this.


"He was at St Stephen’s for a while and was widely known in the community.” 


Rev Percival, 64, who originally comes from London, is currently the vicar of Holy Trinity CE Church, Freckleton in the Fylde area, where he moved 11 years ago after leaving Blackburn.


St Stephen's was his first parish as a priest, having previously been a curate in Liverpool.


Yesterday, prayers for the vicar and his family were said at a service led by Reverend Terry Scholz, at Holy Trinity Church.


He said: "I simply said they (the congregation) could not be unaware of the tragedy that had befallen them, Reverend Percival and his family.


“We must pray that we keep our faith and pray for the family."


The arrests on Tuesday came after police were called to an address in Freckleton - believed to be the vicarage - shortly before 6pm on November 25 following an initial report that a woman had given birth to a stillborn baby.


In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said: "When police attended the body of a newly-born baby boy was discovered at the address and an investigation was launched.


“The baby's mother, a 28-year-old woman, was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she was treated and later released.


"Following numerous inquiries the death of the baby boy is now being treated as suspicious.


"A post-mortem examination has been carried out and the cause of death is currently inconclusive. Further tests are now being carried out to try to establish exactly how the baby died."


Last night, all three were still in police custody.


Mr Scholz said it would be wrong to 'jump to conclusions' and said the wider 'church family' of parishioners at Holy Trinity would now pull together.


He added: "They are all upset and concerned."


Police cars and vans were seen at the house, at the end of a secluded lane next to a farm, throughout last week.


More police activity continued yesterday as a van arrived with half a dozen officers, who carried a large toolbox into the house.


A neighbour said: "It's all a bit of a shock. They are a quiet family. We only know them to say hello. I didn't even know the daughter was pregnant."


Ruth is believed to have previously worked in a care home.


A spokesman for the Diocese of Blackburn said: "The diocese is aware of the situation regarding Rev Jim Percival and his family.


"We have been liaising closely with Lancashire Police and are offering pastoral support to the church and the local community and will continue to do so."


It is understood police were granted an additional 30 hours to question the three.