THE BEN has received more e-mails messages from America from citizens thanking the British for their support after the New York tragedy.

Here, we print them in full:

"I would like to tell your readers that we in America are grateful of the support your country has shown us in these hard times. Disasters such as these are extremely difficult to deal with, and I am continually amazed at the generosity and kindness that has come from our friends across the ocean.

Whether war lies ahead or not, we will all overcome this tragedy and become stronger in the process.

While the world is watching our country, we are watching you too. Thank you so much."

Dustin Ballard, Denton, Texas

John Callinan of Philadelphia., PA, writes: "In May I married Tamsin Burns, and I never was happier. She is from Eagley, and was over here studying art when we met. My wife designed the elephant in the town centre. Anyhow, besides picking the Wanderers as a team to follow, I do, fairly regularly, check in at the BEN website. As all of you know, this past week has been very tough in America. We live in Philadelphia (only an hour and change from New York) and are still reeling from the events on Tuesday -- although things are starting to get back to normal.

I, personally, have been amazed at the outpouring of emotion all over the globe, but have been paying particular attention to what England has been saying.

When I saw the message board I cannot say I agreed with everything posted, but the sheer fact that it existed comforted me in that we were not alone in our pain. Tamsin was trying to explain to me (her soft-headed Yank) how a two-minute moment of silence is not unusual, particularly on 'Remembrance Day' and trying to impress upon me the fact that it was three minutes was important. Tamsin and I met on the football team over here and we had a game today. Before we started, we had a minute of silence. Our team consists of players from 22 (or thereabouts) countries. No one moved. No one spoke.

I wanted to thank you (England & Bolton) for your thoughts and prayers. I wanted to thank the BEN for its reporting on this terrible tragedy. But mostly I wanted to write a love letter to my wife, without whom I would have been lost this week. She is a product, not only of her parents' upbringing (which was excellent), but also of the people and culture she grew up in. To say she has been my salvation would not be too strong, and I know that her love and Lancasheer (I know that's not how it's spelled, but that's how y'all say it) sensibilities have helped." seandon@yahoo.com

Tracey Vincent nee Harland of Fairmont, West Virginia, writes: "At this truly numbing time I would like to let friends and family know we are all right. I lived in Bolton from 1978-80 before moving to the States and would love to thank everyone in England for their support and love. Thank you England we love you." Tracey6964@aol.com

Erik Granquist of Philadelphia (the birthplace of America), Pennsylvania, USA, writes: "On behalf of all Americans, I thank you. I believe I can speak for those of us on this side of the Atlantic that we really appreciate all of the support from England, as well as the other countries from around the world for the recent attack in New York and Washington DC.

We are preparing for something that could turn out to be lengthy and unlike anything the world has ever seen, and the consequences are uncertain. Just as we came to your continent twice in the last century, you are ready to stand by us in this one.

The combined spirit and strength of the US, England, Canada, the reunited Germany, and the rest of NATO can not and will not be defeated. God bless you and keep you all." erikman@msn.com

Rachel Jones of GTS Summit, Celebrity Cruise Lines, writes: "I am a casino dealer on cruise ships where I am away from home up to six months at a time, our ship is currently on its maiden voyage, it is brand new and we just crossed the Atlantic from St Nazaire in France. We arrived in Boston on the day of the terrorist attacks. We were due to visit New York on our way to Fort Lauderdale but unfortunately we are now in the Bahamas due to increased security in American ports.

My heart goes out to all those involved and their families, I can't imagine the heartache this must have caused. It seems insane and for what? I am a peaceful person and find this violence disturbing, I don't think America should retaliate as this is just becoming just like whoever did this, the world is in enough pain and anguish as it is" eeesmart@hotmail.com

Mark and Kathleen Gerrard of Bolton, write: "We send our condolences to all families involved in the tragic events of this week.Kathleen moved here from NY State in 1997 and we are shocked by what happened in the City of New York." mgerrard@lineone.net

Rolfe Sauls of Denver, Colorado, USA, writes: "From an ordinary American citizen... On behalf of my fellow Americans, I would like to thank you, the people of Great Britain, for your kindness and sympathy expressed from your country's diplomats and citizens to mine during our dark hour this week. Here, on the job, and at home, and in our neighborhoods everyone feels the relief of support from our friends in the United Kingdom. We are very grateful for your support. "rolfecat@qwest.net