Families' London tribute to 9/11 dead

Thirty families who lost relatives in the September 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center will gather at the British memorial garden in Grosvenor Square to mark the atrocity's 10th anniversary.

Tom Clarke, whose 30-year-old sister Suria worked as global communications director for Cantor Fitzgerald in the twin towers, said it was important to be together on the date to remember they are "not alone".

Mr Clarke, 38, said: "For a lot of families the anniversary itself is very important. It was a huge attack that affected so many people in so many different ways."

Of the almost 3,000 people killed in the al Qaeda attacks, 67 were British - more losses than any other country apart from America. Mr Clarke, from Islington, said the British memorial garden had become a focal point for many families who had not been able to bury their dead.

He said: "When we were left without any remains we didn't have any bodies to bury - like many or most of the families after the attack. The garden was something that we helped to achieve by working with the Government and we are proud of it.

"Our family has gathered here every year since the garden was finished in 2003. It's a great comfort to us. I like to be there for my mother."

Mr Clarke said his 68-year-old mother Alex, who is chairman of the September 11 UK Families Support Group, was likely to say a few words during the ceremony on Sunday.

"I remember my sister in my own way and in the quiet moments. Suria would be 40 now. I always find it difficult to reflect and remember my sister at these organised events. I took part in the first organised event in New York. I did it but I didn't get much out of it.

"It was a very public affair. There's a lot to be gained from other families to remind ourselves that we are not alone."

Mr Clarke said he was not planning to attend the official St Paul's Cathedral service on Sunday.

He said: "Many families who are religious may choose to remember their loved ones at their local church or mosque. We have never had an official occasion and we have never been a representative group. We have organised things as we wanted.

About 30 families will be in London and around 10 or 15 will go to New York."