THE centre of Petersfield came to a halt for three minutes on Friday as townspeople held a special silence to remember the people who died in America in the world's worst terrorist attack last week.

Messages of sympathy have been pouring in from across the town as a special book of condolence was opened by the chairman of East Hampshire District Council, Peter Rodgers.

Pages from the books have been circulated throughout the district and are available for signature in Petersfield.

Town Mayor Ken Hick was the first to sign at the Town Hall on Friday.

He wrote simply: "For our friends in America, our thoughts, and for the nation our prayers."

Mr Rodgers said the pages would be open until October 11 when they would be returned to the district council to be bound. They are to be forwarded to the United States Ambassador later next month.

"None of us can know at this stage the full implications of this violent act," said Mr Rodgers "but I feel strongly that it is important for local people to have an opportunity to offer their condolences to the families and friends of those who have been injured or lost their lives in this sudden and terrible attack."

This week Petersfield Area Churches Together (PACT) announced that the churches of Petersfield are uniting to invite people of the town to an act of worship to commemorate those who died in the terrorist attack and to pray for the peace of the world.

The civic service will take place in St Peter's Church today (Friday) at 7-45 pm and all are welcome.

Hampshire County Council has a special friendship with the state of New Hampshire and leader Ken Thornber has written to the governor of the state with a message of condolence on behalf of members and officers of the county council.

He said: "Words cannot describe the feelings of horror and disbelief that we all felt as the tragedy unfolded before us.

"I hope that the people of America will take some comfort from the fact that people from across the world have joined together to condemn this act of violence. Our thought are with those who have lost their relatives, friends and colleagues."

Pages of the book of condolence are also available for signature at Penns Place, Petersfield; The Forest Community Centre at Bordon and at Bramshott and Liphook parish office.

r Seven people from Hampshire are feared to have died in the terrorist attacks.

All were reported missing by families or work colleagues.

Senior Hampshire and Isle of Wight detectives have said that 12 officers are now liaising with those who had reported people still unaccounted for.

Officers have refused to identify the missing seven, or say which part of the county they come from.