The colleague of murdered PC Sharon Beshenivsky, who was shot as she went to her aid in an armed robbery last week, has laid flowers at the makeshift shrine in Morley Street.

PC Teresa Milburn, who was shot in the shoulder as robbers fled the travel agent's shop they were raiding, paid a private visit to the scene of the shooting to place a bouquet among the dozens of floral tributes.

It came as Bradford prepared to pay a poignant tribute to PC Beshenivsky today.

Senior police officers, the Lord Mayor, MPs and religious leaders were expected at a 3.15pm ceremony in Centenary Square, followed by a two-minute silence in her memory exactly a week after her death at 3.30pm.

People across the district were being asked to observe the silence wherever they might be, at work, school or home.

And a special personal message of sympathy has been sent by Home Secretary Charles Clarke through the Telegraph & Argus, paying tribute to PC Beshenivsky for giving her life while serving the residents of the city.

He also paid tribute to the bravery of her colleague PC Milburn who has recovered sufficiently from her ordeal to return to the scene of the shooting, and lay a floral tribute at the scene where her colleague fell.

Mr Clarke said: "We can only imagine the suffering of their families and today they will be in my thoughts."

He also paid tribute to the professionalism and dedication of police officers everywhere as "an inspiration to all".

He added: "Bradford has come together to wholeheartedly reject this sort of violence on our streets. We will not tolerate gun crime anywhere in our society."

Today, police were preparing to close Channing Way during the service and switch off the nearby pedestrian crossing during the period of silence.

The Christmas market and fair which has just opened in Centenary Square was also closing for the duration of the service.

The ceremony was being led by the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James.

The Bishop and the police chaplain Sam Sagar were to lead prayers and the Lord Mayor, Councillor Valerie Binney, was to speak on behalf of the people of Bradford.

The Union Flag, which flies over City Hall, is being flown at half mast and Kirklees Council was also to lower its civic flags today in tribute.

Kirklees Council leader Kath Pinnock said: "We are lowering the flags as a mark of respect to the memory of PC Sharon Beshenivsky and as a tribute to the work of the West Yorkshire Police officers."