Dover has paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Paris terrorist attacks at a moving choral service.

Stephen Yarrow, musical director of Dover Choral Society, organised the performance of Fauré’s Requiem at St Mary’s Church in Cannon Street on Sunday. Gabriel Fauré was a Parisian.

Mr Yarrow posted the idea on social media on Saturday hoping to get a dozen people together to sing – but instead 80 singers from as far as Rochester gave their time to pay their respects.

Mr Yarrow said: “We all watched the news with a great sense of depression and despair and frustration and a sense that there’s nothing practical we can do for those people suffering in those attacks.”

Mr Yarrow decided he could bring everyone together with music.

The performance was followed by a long silence.

"This was Dover at its sublime best, producing a moving, quite excellent, performance that many will remember for a long time to come." - Rev Sherred

Rev John Walker led prayers and the church was lit with the French Tricolour.

Mr Yarrow said: “This church stands as a focal point for the community and we have a unique opportunity here at St Mary’s to make this building, its music and its facilities available for the wider town in times of grief, suffering and despair.”

Speaking about the choral service, Rev Peter Sherred said: “This was Dover at its sublime best, producing a moving, quite excellent, performance that many will remember for a long time to come and a fitting requiem for the people of Paris and France after the quite dreadful attacks of Friday. It was able to send out a potent message in response to the mindless slaughter in Paris.”

Mayor of Dover, Cllr Chris Precious also attended the service, he said: “As the closest town to France, the closest church was the most appropriate venue for people to show their sympathy and support for the French people. That this compassion was presented in musical form showed that music is a universal language and sends the right message to those who perpetrate such inhuman acts.”

More than 120 people were killed and hundreds injured in a series of gun and bomb attacks across the French city from the Bataclan Hall to a Parisian restaurant and the Stade de France.

Terrorist organisation ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks and security across the country and the UK has been tightened.

At the Port of Dover, extra security checks have been employed by Border Force, resulting in significant traffic delays along the A20 approach to Dover.

A spokesman for the Port said: “Increased security checks are being conducted at the Port of Dover following recent events in France, so customers are asked to allow plenty of time to travel to and through the Port of Dover.”