CROWDS gathered at the Cenotaph in Preston town centre on Friday for a three minute silence in memory of the thousands killed in the world's worst terrorist attack in New York last week.

People young and old, from varied religious backgrounds, united in grief to remember the innocent lives lost during the attack.

It was a scene reflected across the town and in South Ribble. Later council members, civic dignitaries and church leaders gathered in the Town Hall to sign books of condolence. In a joint statement the town's main council and church spokespeople said: "Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy which is a shocking reminder to us all that acts of violence and terror only serve to deepen divides and cause appalling pain and suffering."

"In Preston, we have a proud history of diverse communities working together for the benefit of one another. By uniting to condemn all terrorist acts we are showing solidarity in seeking to strengthen further, relations between all our communities in Preston."