A MAYOR today spoke of his delight at receiving a letter from his opposite number in New York thanking him for East Lancashire's support from the September 11 atrocities.

Coun John Williams, mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said he has been 'surprised' to receive the personal note from Mayor Rudolph Guiliani at the Town Hall last week.

The personal letter asked Coun Williams to pass on New Yorkers' thanks and support for all the kind wishes sent from the area.

The day after two hijacked airliners crashed into the World Trade Centre, killing more than three thousand people, a book of condolence was opened at Blackburn Town Hall -- the first since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in September 1997.

Hundreds of people signed the book, which Coun Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, confirmed earlier this month had been passed on to the American Embassy in London via Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

In his letter to Coun Williams, Mayor Guiliani said: "In the aftermath of this catastrophe, we have united like never before.

"We have met the worst of what humanity can do with a display of the best of humanity.

"We have been overwhelmed by the bravery of many people in New York and by the generosity and support shown across the world." Coun Williams told a meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council: "I am pleased to say we have received a personal letter from the Mayor of New York.

"It is a touching letter. It was a surprise." Coun Bill Taylor said: "The Mayor and I sent messages of condolence to the Mayors of New York and Washington.

"Books of Condolence were opened at Blackburn Town Hall, Darwen Town Hall and Jubilee House. They were passed by Jack Straw to the American Embassy. On September 14, the Mayor and I joined with the Chairman of Lancashire Council of Mosques and the Director of the Racial Equality Council in a three minute silence on the steps of the Town Hall."

Last week, firefighters in Lancashire received letters of thanks from fire officers in New York after £54,000 was collected for the families victims.

Much of the money was raised on a four-day walk around Lancashire's fire stations.

Chief William Wiley, from Hainesport Fire Company, New Jersey, wrote to say that he wanted 'the great people of the United Kingdom' to know how thankful New York was.

Fire Chief Pete Ganci, who died when the World Trade Centre towers collapsed, had visited Lancashire fire stations on several occasions after becoming a friends of one of the county's leading fire officers, John Williamson.