Schools and colleges held special assemblies and many churches opened their doors for prayers and special services to remember the victims.

Jonathan Smith, assistant principal of King Alfred's Community and Sports College, in Wantage, said: "We have held assemblies throughout the college at various times to give the students an opportunity to think about what has happened. Obviously there is a lot of anxiety. We have alerted members of staff responsible for counselling as we suspect many students have family and friends in America and will be worried.

"With Wantage being the place it is, and there being so many international companies and scientific establishments nearby, it is inevitable students or there parents will know people affected."