MARK Hendrick, MP for Preston, revealed he has a distant cousin, Dave Christian, who was working at the Pentagon at the time the building was attacked on Tuesday.

He said: "This was an absolutely outrageous attack. I am particularly concerned because I have got relatives in America.

"Dave is all right. I managed to speak to him at 10am our time. He was pretty shaken up."

He added: "I think we have got the beginnings of a guerilla war, taking place against the whole world. Even though there are some likely suspects, it isn't like the enemy is a whole country. It's a small group of people, who would be very hard to retaliate against."

David Borrow, MP for South Ribble, said from his holiday in Spain:

"I am shocked and appalled by the terrorist attacks on the USA yesterday. These are unprecedented events and my thoughts and prayers go out to all those families who have lost someone or are concerned about the welfare of a loved one. My thoughts are also with President Bush who is shouldering the enormous burden of coping with this tragedy. I know the Prime Minister will give him all the help and assistance he can."

Michael Jack, MP for Fylde, said: "I am deeply shocked by what I saw unfolding on Tuesday. I and my family, like many others, have been to the World Trade Centre and it makes you think, we are all here but for the grace of God.

"The tragic and terrible events of yesterday will force a major re-think of security. We have an unknown enemy who has managed to turn civilian aircraft into bombs and inflict a terrible onslaught on innocent people.

"Whatever happens, the United States has got to be as certain as they can be over who has done this. They must be certain about their actions in the future, because they could stir up a hornets nest. All democracies in the Western world must stand shoulder to shoulder. This is an attack on all our freedoms."

Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley and Fulwood, said: "I have been to the World Trade Centre several times, and I am completely stunned and full of disbelief at the appalling tragedy that has hit the city.

"I am currently in Australia with a conference of commonwealth politicians, and we have outrightly condemned this act of terrorism against another democratic state. I know that many people throughout the Ribble Valley know people who live in New York and Washington and have visited New York and Washington, and all our thoughts are with them at this most dreadful time."