A NORTH-East academic has written a hymn inspired by the September 11 terrorist attacks on America.

Dr Steve Croft, warden at Cranmer Hall, at Durham University's St John's College, hopes his hymn will offer comfort and hope to those who have been affected by the terrible events.

On the day of the tragedy, the head of the theological college had been assisting at the funeral of a young girl who died in a road accident in West Yorkshire.

He said: "Driving back to Durham in my car, I heard all about the tragedy on the radio and in the next few days, I started to write the hymn, using some of the words used at the funeral.

"They seemed to be appropriate because they described an unspeakable loss and tragedy."

Dr Croft then worked with the college's music director, Anne Harrison, to set the verses to music.

They chose a well-known hymn by Samuel Wesley, The Church's One Foundation, and ordinands from the college have been encouraging churches across the region to adopt it.

A congregation member from one of the churches has now composed a musical setting for the words, which Dr Croft plans to show to his more musical colleague to see if it will work.

He said: "The main purpose of writing the hymn was to offer words which might articulate the feelings people want to express at this time of great loss and tragedy. It seems to have down well at Cranmer Hall and everyone is free to use it.