An independent weekly has published a special tribute edition to a terror attack victim from its patch.

James Furlong was one of three men stabbed to death in a park in Reading last weekend.

Reporters on the Wokingham Paper, which covers the neighbouring borough, later discovered he was a teacher at a school in the town.

Yesterday they produced a special edition – the largest since pagination was reduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – by way of tribute to the three victims.

Editor Phil Creighton told HTFP: “Reading is our immediate neighbour and there is a lot of crossover between the two boroughs. When we heard on Saturday night that there had been a major police incident in Forbury Gardens, a park that we frequently visit ourselves, we knew we had to get on the scene and get reporting.

“As the weekend went on, we learnt that James Furlong, one of the three men tragically killed in the terror attack, was a much-loved teacher from The Holt School in Wokingham.

“Our local connections, including our reporter Jess Warren being a former pupil of The Holt School, meant we were able to get some access that nationals weren’t.

“We included a prayer specially written by the Bishop of Reading, and details of local groups offering counselling to pupils and the LGBTQ+ communities.”

Mr Furlong, 36, was a teacher and head of history, government and politics at The Holt School.

Police are continuing to question suspect Khairi Saadallah, 25, who was arrested under the Terrorism Act following the incident.