AN American with a background of 30 years in the US Army and who has lived in Evesham for many years, Lt Col Charles Burch, of Owletts End, said he was appalled at the tragedy.

"Terrorists have hurt us two ways," he said.

"They have attacked the military and they have attacked our wallets by hitting the Center, and anyone trying to pinch our wallets has committed a grave error.

"I think frankly this is their undoing because it has concentrated our minds.

"Unfortunately, I think hurting them back is the only thing they understand."

Col Burch had a personal interest in what was going on.

His brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rex and Sheila Grant left Evesham on Tuesday to fly to Canada and were over the Atlantic as the drama in America unfolded.

"We heard later that their aircraft had been diverted to Ireland and had put down at Shannon Airport and as far as we know they are still there," he said.

He himself had planned a visit to one of the American Air Force bases on Tuesday afternoon but was unable to do so as he said all had been put on the highest possible alert with everyone moving into emergency positions.

On the terrorist attacks, Col Burch said it was almost impossible to stop the sort of thing that happened in America.

"The terrorists hate us with a purple passion," he said. "Unfortunately this is a fanatical racial and religious thing and the terrorists hate our white faces.

"I know this from having been out there and listened to these people."

"I guess we just have to be on the alert all the time.

"I think the repercussions from Tuesday are going to affect air travel and business for a long time to come.

"We have not begun to appreciate the implications of this."