THE bustle and noise of a normal Thursday in High Street was temporarily suspended when townsfolk joined others around the world to remember the victims of the London bombings.

Most shops and businesses displayed signs informing customers that staff would observe the silence at noon. Many stood outside and closed their doors and several drivers pulled over as the clock on St John's Church struck the hour.

In the town centre, the silent tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks was universally observed. People swiftly stopped in their tracks when they became aware of what was happening.

At St John's a bell tolled to summon worshippers to prayers and to observe the silence in the ancient parish church off Kidderminster Road.

The vicar, the Rev Nigel Marns, said prayers for the victims, their families and friends and for the emergency workers and the teams of forensic scientists engaged in sifting debris from the bus and underground bombings.

Prayers were also said for the people of Leeds where the bombers grew up, for Muslim leaders and for greater openness and transparency in Islam.

Mr Marns said among the visitors to his church were a couple from London whose son is a bus driver there. At All Saints' Church, in Birmingham Road, the silence was observed and the Pascal Candle was lit at the 10am service as a mark of respect.