Muslims from across Preston will came together on Thursday in a remembrance service to denounce the London bombings.

A special service will be held at Raza Mosque, St Paul's Road, Preston, at 2.15pm, in which the victims will be remembered, and Muslim leaders will speak out against the atrocity.

An interfaith vigil will also be held today at 6pm at the Peace Garden, Friargate, opposite the Mobility Centre.

A two minute silence will be observed at noon today at Lancashire County County, Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council, and at Fulwood Barracks, Preston.

It comes after the shock revelation on Tuesday that three of the bombers, which took more than 50 lives in the London underground and bus bombings, were Muslims from Leeds.

Imam Said Ahmed, of Preston's central mosque, Jamea Mosque, Clarendon Street, said: "We are completely shocked and gobsmacked that they could be so misguided.

"It is a hideous act and the forces of good must work extra hard so that those which want to divide us do not succeed."

Faruk Desai, chief executive of Preston racial equality council, said: "I don't anticipate any difficulties in Preston. I just hope and pray that the current good understanding is maintained."

He said he has been monitoring race relations in the city closely since last Thursday, when the bombings were carried out.

"We have been working in partnership with Preston council and the police, and we have had no reports of adverse incidents," he added.

Reverend Dale Barton, inter-faith development officer for Lancashire churches together, added: "We stand in solidarity with out Muslim brothers and sisters, who totally reject the motivation and what has been done."

Police patrols have been stepped up around places of worship and in areas of Preston where ethnic minority populations live, in order to protect them from any potential backlash after the London bombings.

Preston police's ethnic minority team, based at Fulwood police station, Watling Street Road, have instructed all officers to be extra vigilant.

Police said anyone concerned about community relations may call 01772 209516.