SILENCE fell over Preston and South Ribble yesterday (Wednesday) as people remembered the thousands who were killed in last year's terrorist attack on America.

Hundreds joined the nation's tribute to the innocent victims who lost their lives when two hijacked passenger jets slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York.

Others lost their life as a plane was flown into the Pentagon and a fourth aircraft came down in Pennsylvania, killing all on board.

Shoppers gathered in Preston Town Hall and around the Cenotaph for a one-minute silence at 1.46pm -- the exact time the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Centre.

It was also a time for firefighters and people in the other emergency services to remember their American counterparts who lost their lives trying to save those trapped in the doomed towers which both collapsed with a couple of hours of being hit.

At the Town Hall a peace candle was lit Preston Mayor Jonathon Saksena while St Maria Goretti chaplain Father Joe Hothersall gave a service of remembrance.

Coun Saksena said: "We were all touched by the tragic events of September 11, so this was an opportunity to reflect and remember."

In total 2,823 people lost their lives in the World Trade Centre attack including 343 firefighters. A further 393 people were killed in the other attacks on that day -- known simply as 9/11.

In acknowledgement of the dead a multi-faith 'Service of Hope' was held at Blackburn Cathedral last night, with readings from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh holy texts.

Abdul Hamid Qureshi, secretary of the Lancashire Council for Mosques, said: "I would like to express that Muslims are very sad about the events last year. The root causes need to be addressed. We have to understand each other more and the attacks on America were not Muslim acts of terrorism."