PEOPLE in Wiltshire paused to remember the 3,000 people who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

At public places around the county a minute's silence was held at 1.46pm the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center in New York.

People gathered outside Melksham Town Hall, where the Stars and Stripes was flown.

Firefighters lined up outside Trowbridge fire station to pay tribute to American colleagues who lost their lives.

A peace vigil, organised by the Quakers, was held in Bradford on Avon. The event will also remember the victims of air attacks in Afghanistan.

Ade Hurren, station officer at Chippenham Fire Brigade said they took part in a remembrance day.

He said: "Sunday September 8 was the International Firefighters Remembrance Day and we took part in that. We held a two-minute silence."

But Mr Hurren said he felt it was time to move forward.

"We are not doing anything on September 11 but I personally feel that the remembrance Sunday put an end to it," he said.

"Our thoughts are still with all the victims' families but it is time to move on.

"I feel personally that it is now a historical event."

Two Chippenham police officers were due to be at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday to take part in a special service to commemorate September 11.

DC Richard Jones and DC Jo Spencer are both based at Chippenham CID.

They were representing Wiltshire police to commemorate the police officers who lost their lives on September 11.

DC Jones was one of two Chippenham policemen who travelled to New York in May.

He had collected a badge from every police force in Britain, and took them to New York to give to police officers there.

Trowbridge policewoman Emma Harris was due to attend the New York memorial service at Ground Zero, which will include a roll-call of victims' names.