MEMORIAL: The American embassy in Grosvenor Square is the rallying point for remembrance activities 

British survivors of the September 11 attacks and families of the victims have commemorated the 10th anniversary of the tragedy in a Mayfair chapel. Relatives attended an early morning service at Grosvenor Chapel in London, which is known as the "American church". It has links to the nearby US embassy and was a place of worship for American soldiers during the Second World War.

Survivor Courtney Cowart, who was nearly buried alive when the north tower of the World Trade Centre collapsed, was among the congregation and recollected how she had been overtaken by fear when she returned to the site for a memorial service five days later. "Entering the heart of darkness, I was terrified. We were dwarfed by immense wreckage looming around us. It was a landscape drained of all colour," she said.

9/11: The 'Stars and Stripes' American flag flying at Ground Zero in New York

Canon Jim Rosenthal, who led the service, said the 9/11 attacks knew "no race, creed, gender, age or status". Almost 3,000 people died in the atrocity and Britain suffered more losses than any other country, apart from the US itself with 67 fatalities. The American Deputy Ambassador, Barbara Stevens also lit a solitary candle in memory of the victims.

Memorial services are also being held at St Paul's Cathedral this morning and tonight at Westminster Abbey. The main event will be in the September 11 memorial garden next to the American Embassy in west London this afternoon. Bereaved British families will attend a remembrance ceremony where victims' names will be read out and a white rose laid for each one. Relatives of about 10 UK victims have also travelled to New York for the events organised by the US authorities at Ground Zero.