THE repercussions of last week's tragic events in the USA are continuing to be felt across the area.

Books of condolence have been opened at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls after the terrorist atrocities in New York and Washington.

Local firefighters joined the tributes to their colleagues in the USA, standing outside their stations during the silence at 11am on Friday.

The city council has sent communications to the Mayors of New York, Washington and Pittsburgh, passing on the sympathies of the people of Lancaster to their colleagues across the Atlantic.

On Friday, Lancaster and district Green Party is to hold a peace vigil in Dalton Square, Lancaster on Sunday from 7.15pm to 8pm.

They say it will be a chance to remember those injured or killed in the attack, demonstrate horror and revulsion for the actions and demand that any actions in response should avoid the loss of innocent lives and aim at justice rather than revenge.

The vigil will also reflect on the causes of the attacks and what we can do to create a more just and better world. Participants are asked to bring a candle.

Christians and Muslims in the area have come together to express their distress at the attack.

The Rt Rev Stephen Pedley, Bishop of Lancaster and chairman of the Lancashire Church Leaders, is one of the signatories of an open letter published on Wednesday.

It reads: "We are determined that events in America will not damage the relationship between our communities in Lancashire.

"In particular we believe these events should not serve as a catalyst for the denigration of Islam or the victimisation of Muslims. Violence against innocent people is neither advocated by Islam, nor supported by British Muslims. Our belief in God leads us to seek justice. We believe the acts of terror should not be compounded by making further victims of innocent people. In our places of prayer, at this time of such loss of human life, we pray with and for those who mourn.

"For ourselves we pray for God's compassionate love and mercy to help us realise and respect our common humanity."