Three minutes to stop and reflect on a week of horror

The silence will be held at noon across Europe and at 11am British time.

Local authorities, churches and other organisations throughout the North-East opened books of condolence yesterday.

The Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Isobel Hartley was the first person to sign a book of condolence opened in the town yesterday.

The book will be kept in the entrance of Darlington Town Hall for people who wish to sign in memory of the victims of this week's terrorist attack on the United States.

Coun Hartley said: "The events of the last few days are obviously ingrained on everybody's minds and there may be people who wish to pay their respects in some way."

The flag on the town hall has been flying at half-mast, after permission was granted by the American consulate in Newcastle.

The Reverend Robert Williams, of St Cuthbert's Church, will lead a three-minute silence in the Market Place at 11am today, which will also be observed in the town hall.

Councillors and staff of Sedgefield Borough Council will also join in the three-minute silence in remembrance of all those who died in Tuesday's attack.

Norman Vaulks, the council's chief executive, said: "We have all been stunned and sickened as events have unfolded over the last three days.

"The world has watched helplessly as it attempted to come to terms with this disaster, and this small measure is a way to express our deep support and sympathy to the families and friends of those who died on Tuesday."

Richmondshire District Council, in North Yorkshire, has confirmed pages will be open to sign at its headquarters at Swale House in Richmond.

Flags on civic buildings in Sunderland will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to the dead.

Books of condolence will be available to sign at the City Library in Fawcett Street, the Hetton area office, Houghton area office and Washington Town Centre Library.

An area is also being set aside around Sunderland's war memorial for anyone who wants to place flowers in remembrance of those killed in the terrorist attacks.

Council leader Councillor Colin Anderson said: "I'm sure everyone in Sunderland will want to join us in paying tribute to all those who lost their lives in this dreadful attack.

"As the ancestral home of America's founding father, George Washington, Sunderland has always had strong links with the country.

"Many American companies have set up business here and many Americans have made their homes here."

Durham County Council has also opened a book of condolence at County Hall.

The public can express their feelings about the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York and show their sympathy for the relatives of the victims.

Councillor Ken Manton, leader of the council, said: "There is an overpowering feeling of wanting to help in some way. While we may be powerless to be of any practical assistance, this book of condolence at least offers some tangible way in which to feel close to the bereaved and those who are struggling to cope with the aftermath of this week's terrible events."

The council has already sent letters of condolence to the American ambassador in London and to the people of its twinned county of Durham in North Carolina.

The book of condolence will be available to the public from 8.30am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 8.30am to noon on Saturday.

Staff and visitors will be expected to observe the three-minute silence for the victims at 11am today.

Hartlepool people are invited to join the town's emergency services to pay their respects.

Mayor Doug Ferriday is urging people to join him outside the Civic Centre for the three-minute silence today at 11am.

Mr Ferriday said: "Our hearts go out to the United States following the terrorist attack which brought death and devastation to New York and Washington on a previously unimaginable scale.

"Our thoughts and prayers are not just with the victims and their families, but also the heroic emergency services workers - many of whom have themselves become victims of the outrage."

The British Army's largest garrison will also pause for three minutes to honour the victims of the terror attacks in America.

The padre, Fr Tim Forbes-Turner, will lead a brief open-air service at the headquarters at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.

A community day planned to help with the renovation of the base's Coronation Park has also been called off as a mark of respect to the dead.

It will now be rearranged in the spring.

Barnard Castle Methodist Church will be open for prayers to remember the people of America, from 10am to noon today.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Middlesbrough, The Right Reverend John Crowley, is inviting people of all religious persuasions to share in an hour of prayer for those affected by the events in America. St Mary's Cathedral, in Coulby Newham, will be open for prayer from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Sunday.

A service of remembrance and reflection will be held at York Minster tomorrow.

The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, will lead the service in the nave at 10.30am.

Councillor Vilma Collins, Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, was the first person to sign the borough's book of condolence. The public can sign the book in the reception at Eston Town Hall during normal office opening hours.

Nationally, Camelot will stop the National Lottery System from 11am to 11.03am today to support the European three-minute silence.

The suppression of the system will mean players will not be able to purchase tickets or claim prizes during that time.

Camelot's National Lottery Line, retailer hotline and telesales will also be observing the silence and will not be receiving or making any calls during this period.

Sylvia Jay, director general of the Food and Drink Federation, announced that food and drink manufacturers throughout the UK will join in the day of mourning.