A MAN is due in court today charged with the murder of Bewdley retired school teacher Betty Yates.

Stephen Farrow, 47, is also accused of killing South Gloucestershire vicar John Suddards.

The double murder charge came after a team of officers from West Mercia Police quizzed Farrow, alongside Avon and Somerset Police, who held him in custody.

He is accused of murdering Mrs Yates in Bewdley between January 1 and 5 and the Rev Suddards in Thornbury between February 13 and 14. He also faces a charge of burglary relating to a property in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire between December 21, 2011 and January 3, this year.

He is due to appear at North Avon Magistrates Court in Bristol today.

Farrow, described in the national press as “a homeless drifter”, was arrested in Folkestone, Kent, at 4.20am on Sunday.

He was tracked down following a tip-off from a member of the public in response to a police appeal for his whereabouts.

The two murders were formally linked after the police forces worked together to examine similarities between them.

The body of Mrs Yates, 77, was found on January 4 and Mr Suddards, 59, was found on the morning of February 14.

Two other men were questioned earlier in the two forces’ separate investigations.

West Mercia Police arrested one man, who does not live locally, on February 2. He was interviewed in North Worcestershire in connection with Mrs Yates' death and released on bail without charge.

A 43-year-old man was arrested by Avon and Somerset police on February 15 on suspicion of the murder of the Rev Suddards but was also released on bail without charge.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp, of Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Once again it has been the contribution of a member of the public that has made the difference – my thanks go to that person for their courage in providing us with that vital information.”

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, of West Mercia Police, also thanked members of the public who responded to appeals.

He added: “I would also still encourage people to come forward and talk to us if they have information which could assist our inquiry.

“We still have a strong police presence in Bewdley and hope this will help reassure people that the area, and indeed the whole of the West Mercia, remains a very safe place in which to live, work and visit.”

Anyone with information on either death should call the police on 101 and ask for Avon and Somerset or West Mercia Police. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.