LANCASHIRE'S Muslims and Christians have united in their condemnation of the terrorist attacks in America.

In a joint statement, the Lancashire Council of Mosques and the Christian organisation Churches Together in Lancashire, expressed their great 'distress and shock' at the loss of life and offered sympathy and prayers for the bereaved.

Signed by Council of Mosques chairman Ibrahim Master and the Rt Rev Stephen Pedley, Bishop of Lancaster and chairman of the Lancashire church leaders, the statement adds the two organisations were determined the events will not damage the relationship between the communities in Lancashire.

And it stressed that what happened in America should not lead to attacks against Muslims.

The statement read: "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."

The statement continues: "In our places of prayer, at this time of such loss of 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."