AN EAST LANCASHIRE woman on her first visit to London was one wrong turn from death after losing her way when terrorist bombs ripped through the capital.

And today Sonia Holden, from Darwen - who was on a business trip - revealed: "I am so lucky to be alive" after she almost walked into the path of a suspected suicide bomber

The 25-year-old Capita worker was among scores of East Lancashire people caught up in the carnage, believed to have been caused by an al Qaida attack.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's deputy mayor Coun Dorothy Walsh was minutes away from getting onto the Underground when a series of explosions began on Tube trains.

A huge manhunt was under way today to find the bombers.

Scotland Yard put the confirmed death toll at 37 but that looks set to rise with 95 seriously injured among the 300 casualties taken to hospital.

Police sources said more than 40 people had died and Australian Prime Minister John Howard told reporters in Canberra that the death toll was 52.

Miss Holden, of Sough Road, Darwen, said she was lucky to be alive after plumping to head right instead of left after being evacuated on arrival at Euston train station.

She felt "the ground shake" as an explosion tore through nearby Tavistock Square, central London.

Reliving the horror, she said: "I had boarded the 6.50 from Preston for a business meeting and arrived at Euston at 9.20am.

"But as soon as we arrived we were told to evacuate the station and find alternative travel as the Tube station was not operating. No reason was given but some passengers said it was down to a power surge.

"I think I am lucky to be alive and am so glad I turned right on leaving the station. Had I turned left then I may have not been talking to you now. I didn't know where I was going and was just looking for a bus to Victoria station.

"After about 15 minutes I heard a massive explosion just before 10. It was very loud and seemed like only round the corner - and sounded like a bus crashing. Everything seemed to shake and I could feel tremors on my feet."

After being ordered away from the scene by police a worried Miss Holden managed to board a number 77 bus destined for Victoria station.

But 15 minutes into the journey, police ordered the driver stop the vehicle in central London and all passengers had to get off.

" It was very frightening and ironically it was my first visit to London - all I could hear were sirens. I saw a few people crying but most people seemed quite calm, nobody really knew what was going on. I waited 30 minutes for a taxi and managed to get to the meeting only to find it had been cancelled," she added.

Throughout her ordeal, friends and loved ones including fianc Andrew Jake had tried in vain to contact her on her mobile to check she was unhurt.

"I noticed as I got on the bus that the network was down and when it came on again at around 2pm I noticed I had 20 answer machine messages. Five were from my fianc wanting to know if I was OK. I have since spoken to him and he was relieved to hear my voice. He has been e-mailing all my friends to let them know I am alright."

Miss Holden said she was hopeful of returning home today - staying the night as planned in a hotel near to the venue of her business meeting and added: "I am just grateful I am OK. I don't intend to come back to London in a hurry."

People across the UK are being urged to give blood to help top-up supplies following yesterday's terrorist outrage.

A National Blood Service donor session was taking place at the Community Link, Bury Road, Haslingden, from 1.30pm until 3.30pm and then from 5.30 until 7.30pm.