CANTERBURY Cathedral became the focus of remembrance as people of all nationalities gathered to pray for the victims of the September 11 atrocity.

On the first anniversary of a date now infamously etched in history, a minute's silence was observed at exactly 1.46pm - the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center.

The silence was followed by a service of remembrance in the crypt conducted by the Dean, the Very Rev Robert Willis.

He told the 150-strong congregation to pray for those who had suffered in the atrocity and, at a time of increased tension, for world leaders to have wisdom in their decisions. Businesses and stores throughout the Kent observed the minute's silence and there were services in many churches.