SILENCE fell over the streets surrounding Grenfell Tower as survivors and bereaved relatives led a national minute’s silence one year on from the fire.

Those touched by the tragedy which claimed 72 lives gathered near the foot of the block in west London to pay their respects at a ceremony which was closed to the public.

Many arrived dressed in green, the colour that has come to symbolise the terrible events of June 14 2017.

The silence was observed across the country, including at Government buildings, the Houses of Parliament and by the Queen and the Duchess of Sussex in Chester.

A voiceover at the start of the ceremony in north Kensington said: “Seventy-two people lost their lives who were our family, friends and community.

“We gather here today to remember them.”

The Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir opened the commemoration with a rendition of Lean On Me.

A community mosaic was then unveiled, followed by the reading of a passage from the Koran from a lectern near the perimeter of the tower.

Finally, the names of all the dead - including stillborn baby Logan Gomes and Maria del Pilar Burton, who died in January - were read out by different members of the community.

After each finished their turn, they said: “Forever in our hearts.”

The words were echoed back to them by the crowd.

The silence was followed by the gospel choir performing Bridge Over Troubled Water, the Simon and Garfunkel song which was recorded as a single in aid of those affected.

Members of the public were able to watch the ceremony from a giant screen erected outside nearby Kensington Aldridge Academy.

NHS support workers had also been dotted along the road in case any residents became distressed.

The hollowed skeleton of Grenfell Tower - still fenced off - is cloaked in white scaffolding and topped with tributes 12 months on.

People also gathered in Bradford for a short service led by the Lord Mayor