Carol service cancelled amid search for rugby star

Tom Voyce retired from rugby in 2013 and has been living in Alnwick since 2020

A carol service due to take place in a village close to where a search has been taking place for missing England rugby star Tom Voyce has been cancelled.

Police fear the 43-year-old has died after trying to cross Abberwick Ford, near Bolton, Northumberland, in a vehicle which was then pulled along by the current.

A search has been ongoing since Sunday when Mr Voyce did not return home from an evening with friends.

The Reverend Gill Lonsdale, who helped to organise the service at Bolton Chapel, said: "Nobody really has the heart to gather and sing carols, so it felt the right decision not to hold the event this year."

A carol concert due to take place on Sunday in the village of Bolton has been cancelled

Mr Voyce's vehicle has been found, but Northumbria Police said it believed "in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died".

Search teams have been scouring the banks of the river from the ford between Bolton and Abberwick, all the way to the sea at Alnmouth.

Volunteers from the two Mountain Rescue teams based in Northumberland have also been assisting, alongside Mr Voyce's family and friends.

Bolton priest in charge, the Reverend Rich Townend, said it was a "heart-breaking situation for everyone".

"This is a small, close-knit farming community and everyone who is able is involved in the search," he said.

"The thoughts and prayers of us all are with the family."

The search for Tom Voyce began on Sunday after he failed to return home

Mrs Lonsdale said it had been "a very difficult time for so many people" as a local farmer had recently been killed in a crash near Whittingham and some who knew him were also involved in the search for Mr Voyce.

The rugby star was capped nine times for England from 2001 until 2006 and played for Wasps, Bath and Gloucester before retiring from the sport in 2013.

He previously worked for the bank Investec and has been living in Alnwick since 2020.

Former England teammate Lawrence Dallaglio and Matt Dawson, who played alongside Mr Voyce at Wasps, have been among those who have spoken of their sadness at the apparent loss of the former England winger and full-back.

Premiership Rugby said it was "devastated" and thinking about Mr Voyce's loved ones.