PRAYERS are being said at Durham Cathedral and York Minster today for those who lost their lives in the London bombing tragedy.

Everyone affected by the bombings will be remembered in prayers said at each service in coming days at Durham Cathedral.

A short service of prayer and reflection will be led by one of the cathedral's residentiary canons, Canon Rosalind Brown, lasting between five and ten minutes, from noon.

It will be followed by the usual 12.30pm service of Holy Communion.

A single candle will be lit in memory of all those affected by events in the capital, while votive candles are also available for members of the public.

Gregory Chapel, in the cathedral's north transept, is reserved for private prayer, while some of the many school groups visiting the cathedral will be invited to join the short service.

Meanwhile, the Reverend Paul Golightly, of St Antony's Priory, led prayers for victims of the explosions at yesterday's regular Prayers for Justice and Peace.

He also asked the congregation to pray for all those involved in the rescue operation and medical staff at London hospitals treating the casualties.

"We pray that the spirit of violence in people's hearts, that causes them to do such devastating and wicked things, might be dispelled in our world."

He urged people to overcome any desire for revenge.

* Visitors to York Minster are invited to light candles and say personal prayers, while an honorary chaplain will be on hand to offer assistance.

Prayers will be said on the hour through the day and during evensong, which will be led by the Minster's Canon Chancellor Glyn Webster.

* Celebrations to mark the 160th anniversary of the opening of the York to Scarborough railway line were cancelled yesterday as a mark of respect to the victims of the tragedy. The Flying Scotsman was to travel between the two towns and brass bands were scheduled to play at both stations.

* PUPILS from two North-East schools were back safe at home last night after trips to the capital were disrupted by the bomb blasts.

A group of 44 14 and 15-year-olds from St John's RC School, in Bishop Auckland, cut short their visit and travelled back by coach last night.

They had left their hotel in the East End yesterday morning and were starting a tour of the Victoria and Albert Museum at the time of the explosions

Another group of 23 teenagers from Durham Sixth Form Centre, in Durham City, were travelling by train for a day trip when their train was turned back.

Meanwhile, a group of 44 pupils, aged 11 to 16, and five staff from Longfield School, in Darlington, who had been on a two-day cultural tour of London, were due back in Darlington last night.