THEIR heads bowed, firefighters at Blackburn Fire Station pay a moving tribute on the second anniversary of the September 11 tragedy.

The firefighters held a minute's silence today for the victims of the World Trade Centre and Pentagon attacks -- which included 343 firefighters. A second tribute will also be paid next Tuesday, September 16, at 11am on International Firefighters' Day of Remembrance by firefighters at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and fire stations across the UK.

This will coincide with a Service of Remembrance at St Paul's Cathedral, London, held by the Firefighters' Memorial Charitable Trust which, since 1991, has been commemorating the lives of all firefighters killed in the UK. Tributes in New York, meanwhile, are expected to be more low profile with one main commemorative service at Ground Zero.

Mick Baldwin, from Rishton, who now runs two traditional fish and chip restaurants in Manhattan, said: "It's like the rest of the world is more bothered about it than we are. There will probably be a lot of tourists at the service but for local people it is like a graveyard. It is something we will never forget but people don't want to think about it because it was so horrific.

"The majority of New Yorkers will probably say a prayer and light a candle but won't do any big things."

Lancashire's chief fire officer, Peter Holland, said: "The Firefighters' Memorial Charitable Trust has, since 1991, been at the forefront of commemoration of the lives of firefighters killed on duty throughout the UK but the unprecedented tragedy of the loss of 343 firefighters in New York on September 11, 2001, created a need to formally commemorate the contribution of all firefighters to society, at home and abroad too.

"We are asking members of the public throughout the UK to join us in a one-minute silence at 11am on Tuesday, September 16, to honour firefighters across the world on this International Day of Remembrance.

"You can do so in silent tribute wherever you are or if it is convenient we would be delighted to have you join firefighters at fire stations."