TWENTY years to the day since the Herald tragedy, services and poignant tributes have been taking place in Dover remembering the 193 people whose lives were cut short by the disaster.

Hundreds of people packed the Seafarers’ Centre, in Dover’s Snargate Street, for the annual service, organised by the British and International Sailors’ Society, led by port chaplain, the Rev Sean Carter.

People attending included family and friends of passengers and crew who lost their lives, plus former Herald crew members, who wanted to pay their respects and remember their colleagues who died.

The Herald of Free Enterprise ferry capsized at 6.30pm on March 6, 1987, just outside of Zeebrugge, after her bow doors were left open and water poured into the car deck.

Mr Carter told the service: "The Herald was the most catastrophic tragedy in east Kent. It is dreadful for so many people, but there were rays of light - the heroism shown by the crew and passengers, the divers and emergency services, doctors, police, clergy and chaplains and counsellors, who helped people in the aftermath."

But he added: "In east Kent, the wounds have been healed, but the scars will never go away."

Following the service many braved the high winds to walk to the Prince of Wales Pier, where wreaths were thrown into the sea.

Others remained at the Seafarers’ Centre to catch up with people they had not seen for many years.

At rround 1pm people began gathering at Herald Wood, and families of people who died planted saplings to remember their loved ones on the 20th anniversary.

Herald Wood was created in 1987, with 193 trees, by the Kent branch of the Men of the Trees. It is situated just off the A2, at Whitfield and stands as a permanent reminder of the lives lost in the tragedy.

To mark the exact time the Herald capsized, bells were being rung at St Mary’s Church, in Dover town-centre at 6.30pm.