THE hustle and bustle of a normal busy Friday morning in Bromsgrove High Street came to an abrupt halt last Friday.

It happened at 11am when townsfolk, as elsewhere in Britain, stood heads bowed to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks in America 3,500 miles away.

Everything stood still as Bromsgrove's town crier Kevin Ward, surrounded by shoppers gathered round the Housman statue, signalled the start of the silent tribute by a long peal of his bell which usually proclaims happier events.

Only rustling leaves in nearby trees and a baby crying in the distance broke the eerie silence.

Many were moved to tears as the images of the horrors they had seen on TV and in newspapers since the events four days before came into mind.

"Pray God support all of us in these difficult times," he said as he rang his bell again to signal the end of the three minutes.

Most shops, businesses and schools observed the silence which was part of a Europe-wide day of mourning involving millions of people.