Beoley woman Sian Johnston, working in New York for a year, has given a harrowing eyewitness account of the moment disaster struck the World Trade Centre, writes Becky Procter.

She spoke of the sheer panic and disbelief felt by people in Manhattan.

The 24 year old, who watched the horror unfold from the 24th floor of her law firm office block near the twin towers, said: "I arrived at work just after the first plane crashed and I actually saw the second plane hit.

"There was a massive explosion and at that point, there was just complete shock - everyone wondered what was going on.

"We put the radio on and listened to reports as it was happening and there was just a state of disbelief - a lot of people from this office work at the trade center.

"But then I saw one of the towers actually collapse. "There was huge panic and everyone just wanted to get out."

Miss Johnston managed to e-mail her family and friends back home to ensure them she was safe.

All routes and subways out of the city were closed and it was several hours before she was allowed to leave her office.