VICTIMS of the September 11 terrorist attacks will be remembered by workers and shoppers in a service to be held in Bolton's Victoria Square.

People will pay tribute to the many who died when terrorists crashed two planes into New York's World Trade Centre and another into the Pentagon in Washington. A fourth hijacked plane crashed to the ground, killing all those on board.

A two-minute silence will be held at around 8.45am following a service conducted by the Bishop of Bolton at 8.30am on Wednesday, September 11 -- the first anniversary of the attacks that shook the world.

The tribute is being timed to attract as many as possible before the start of the working day. People of all faiths are expected to attend.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, will light a torch to commemorate the 3,000 people who died..

He said: "It's important we do not lose sight of the the effects of terrorism and war and that we commemorate all those innocent people who die as a result."

Firefighters across Bolton will fly flags at half mast to commemorate the US firemen and women who died when the twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed.

A spokesman for the fire service said the brigade would also hold a minute's silence.

He added: "It will be a very poignant day for firefighters across the world."

Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east, intends to be in Victoria Square for the town centre tribute.

He said: "We need to remember what happened on September 11. It was a unique tragedy which killed so many innocent people.

"It may not have been on the scale of the two world wars but it was still, in a way, a kind of warfare and for that reason it must never be forgotten."