Prayers said for stabbing victim

Mrs Witchalls' son, Joseph, was found on the ground next to her

Prayers have been said at the local church of Surrey mother Abigail Witchalls, who has been left paralysed after being stabbed in the neck.

The priest at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic church, Effingham, prayed with his congregation for the 26-year-old victim to "come back to us soon".

Mrs Witchalls was attacked on Wednesday in the village of Little Bookham.

A man aged 28 has been released on police bail, and a woman aged 29 has been released without charge.

The pair had been taken into custody after going into nearby Leatherhead police station on Friday afternoon.

The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and his blue Peugeot car was seized.

Mrs Witchalls' husband, Benoit, has been keeping a vigil at her bedside

He was released pending further inquiries, while Surrey Police said the woman had been eliminated from their investigation.

At Our Lady of Sorrows on Sunday, Father John Sheehy said Mrs Witchalls' family had asked everyone there to say a prayer for her.

His sermon read: "We pray for Abigail to be restored to us sooner than predicted and that the gloom and sadness of this parish will be compensated by an influx of joy and happiness from God to us all."

He also asked for love and healing to surround her, for her husband Benoit to be given courage and strength, and for her son Joseph to be protected.

'Peace and calm'

Joseph was being pushed in his buggy by his mother when the attack happened.

Prayers were also said at St Nicholas Parish Church in Bookham and Bookham Baptist Church.

It came after Father Rod Jones, a priest and friend to Mrs Witchalls' family, said she "feels close to God".

"I first visited Abby in hospital on Thursday to anoint and pray. She radiated a peace and calm that was remarkable," he said.

Father Jones added: "She is in a stable condition and is beginning to get back some feeling. "

Possible interview

He added: "We hope for more signs of progress in the days, weeks and months ahead."

Mrs Witchalls is in a stable condition at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London.

Police said they may try to interview Mrs Witchalls if the hospital gives the go-ahead, although she can only communicate using blinks and facial expressions.

Meanwhile, a Surrey Police spokeswoman said they had received more than 250 calls from members of the public with information.

"More than 100 officers are working on the case and we are still appealing for anyone who was in Little Bookham between 3.30pm and 5pm on Wednesday to come forward," she added.