Security staff at Canterbury Cathedral and churches across the district are on high alert after the Islamic State-inspired murder of a priest in France.

The Cathedral says the killing of 86-year-old Jacques Hamel “brought into sharp focus” the need for those who work at or visit the building to be vigilant.

Fr Hamel was butchered by Muslim extremist Adel Kermiche at his church in a suburb of Rouen, Normandy, on Tuesday.

Kermiche and another man, named as Abdel Malik P, were shot dead by police as they exited the Catholic church shouting “Allahu Akbar”, “god is great”.

The attack comes as part of a wave of Islamist terror attacks in France and Germany, including a suicide bombing in the Bavarian town of Ansbach and the murder of 84 people celebrating Bastille Day at Nice on the French Riviera.

Canterbury Cathedral spokesman Jane Walker said today: “The security at Canterbury Cathedral is always kept under review and the sad events in France bring into sharp focus the need for all who work at the Cathedral, as well as those who worship with us and who visit to be alert.

“Security measures are in place but we do not discuss the exact nature of those measures as this would compromise their effectiveness.”

ISIS says the killing was carried out by “two soldiers of the Islamic State” as part an operation to target countries of the US-led coalition it is fighting in the Middle East.

Kermiche reportedly told Fr Hamel that the attack upon him was because Christians had been killing Muslims.

The Rev Trevor Wilmott, the Bishop of Dover and the Bishop in Canterbury, says there is no intelligence yet that UK churches are a target.

“Our thoughts and prayers will be with all those affected by the church attack in France, with the people of France and all affected by terrorism,” Mr Wilmott said.

“We understand that there is no current intelligence to suggest any attack planning of this nature in this country. Nevertheless, church leaders and their congregations should remain alert, not alarmed.

“I want to assure people that the police have been working with church leaders here in the UK to establish a communication network through which reassurance and guidance to the Christian community can be passed.”