For two minutes yesterday Bradford's communities stood shoulder-to-shoulder in silence to remember the victims of the London bombs.

More than 1,000 people of all ages and religions converged in Centenary Square, in the city centre.

Thousands more in the district paused in what they were doing to mark the moment - joining hundreds of thousands across the globe.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Valerie Binney; Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton and heads of faiths in Bradford payed their respects and layed floral tributes.

Coun Binney said: "It is comforting to see so many here - all our faith leaders, representatives of the emergency services, Bradford Council, schoolchildren and members of the public - as we join together to make a stand against terrorism and show respect for the innocent victims who lost their lives."

The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, said: "It has been very moving to see the whole range of people attend."

Crowds bowed their heads and many shed tears as multi-faith prayers were said and calls for peace were made.

Pushpa Prabhakar, of Bradford, was there to show respect for the victims. She said her son Rajiv, who lives and works in London, could easily have been one of them.

"Last week, when I heard what happened I was thrown into a blind panic because I thought my son, his wife or their daughter were victims of the bombings," she said.

"Fortunately, my son called and told me they were safe. I can't imagine how the families of the victims must feel."

Clive Brook, of Ilkley, was in the city on business.

"As a Christian I wanted to be somewhere with other people to observe the silence," he said. "Centenary Square was the nearest place."

Sarah Habib, 22, an Iraqi living in Bradford, said: "I am also here to remember the many victims of suicide bombings in Iraq.

"Terrorists are bringing devastation to many parts of the world and we must unite to beat them."

Student Itiyah Ahmed, 17, was with friends. "We came to show respect and to feel like we are contributing something," she said.

Elsewhere, nearly 1,000 children gathered in a show of unity outside three Manning-ham schools. Pupils from the predominantly Muslim Margaret McMillan Primary joined hands with those from Lister Primary and St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary.

Learning mentor Liz Dunn said: "It is a way of showing we are working really hard in the Manningham area to unite and fight against racism and terrorism."

A book of condolence is still available for signing at City Hall.