PETERSFIELD people have been stretching the hand of sympathy and friendship across the Atlantic this week following the appalling act of terrorism which struck America on Tuesday.

On Wednesday morning the owners of the American Pie restaurant hung American flags in the trees on the High Street and posted the simple message 'God Bless America Today'.

Flowers were placed on the pavement under the flags.

Vicar of St Peter's, the Rev Giles Harris-Evans, announced he would be dedicating Saturday's Holy Communion in the church at 9-30 am to the American people.

He said there would be a special emphasis on prayers for those who had died in America and for the peace of the world.

Petersfield mayor Ken Hick said: "The act of terrorism is a crime against all free people and it is the enormity of the crime which sets it above any previous act of terrorism."

He said he was trying to contact the mayor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with whom many singers in the south of England had a close association.

"We want to express our feelings to our friends in America. Any democracy which grants freedom of movement to its population is vulnerable."

The leader of Hampshire County Council, Ken Thornber, said in a statement on Wednesday: "These events are beyond comprehension. They have been perpetrated by people who must be evil in the extreme.

"The nations of the world must unite and stamp out terrorism if there is to be any security left in this world. Our hearts must go out to all those families who will have lost their loved ones in this wicked act."

Mike Easton, managing director of the specialist travel company Just America in Petersfield, told The Herald: "We are doing our utmost to keep people informed and are checking the situation with the airlines on an hour-by-hour basis."

He added: "Most people are being very understanding about the situation and very patient."

Mr Easton said people were still planning to take trips later in the year. "We are still taking bookings for travel," he said.

r Herald proprietor Sir Ray Tindle has sent a message of condolence to the manager and staff of his Californian newspaper, The Idyllwild Town Crier.

In it he says: "I want you to know of the enormous wave of sympathy here for your country over the dreadful attack upon New York and Washington.

"Our Queen has conveyed to President Bush the feelings of all of us in Britain.

"Please tell your colleagues of our deep sympathy and concern and anger on your behalf. We stand firmly with you."