The queen and senior political figures joined families of the British victims of September 11 for a memorial service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.

Around 800 friends and relatives of the estimated 80 British victims of the terrorist atrocities were present for the service.

Other dignitaries included Tony Blair, the Prince of Wales and former president of the United States, George Bush Snr.

Those present heard the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, condemned the acts of terror, saying there were "no adequate words for the shameful and evil deeds of 11 September".

"Let us work sincerely and even-handedly for justice - the justice that may bring the balm of peace to those open wounds that deface our dealings as nations, peoples and communities," he said.

The service included hymns and readings requested by the families of the victims. Dame Judi Dench read the 19th century poem Remember by Christina Rossetti at the request of relatives, while Tony Blair read a lesson from the New Testament.

After the service the Queen, along with relatives of those who died, placed flowers on the Memorial to Innocent Victims at the Abbey.

The service was arranged at the government's request and was the principal national act of remembrance for the British families of those who dies in the terror attacks in New York and Washington.