The pain the firefighters in New York are feeling is the same pain we're feeling here

Andy Pike London Fire Brigade

More than 300 New York firefighters were killed as they tried to save workers trapped in the World Trade Center after two airliners crashed into them on 11 September.

At the start of the service, members of the United States Marine Corps carried in the Stars and Stripes flag, and members of the London Fire Brigade carried in the Union flag.

This was followed by psalms sung by the choir before readings from firefighters.

UK chief fire officer Richard Bull said: "It is impossible to find the right words to portray the feelings of the UK fire brigade.

"The tragic consequences of what happened that day are beyond the comprehension of day-to-day human experience.

The fallen firemen were victim of "malevolent evil"

"It is with the greatest respect that we acknowledge the New York firefighters for the lives they gave."

He then read out an e-mail received from his New York counterpart, Thomas von Essen, expressing thanks for sympathy and support he had received from across the Atlantic.

"We are absolutely overwhelmed with the love and prayers and gratitude that you shared with us at the time of our need and sorrow," Mr Bull read.

Canon Stephen Oliver then paid tribute to the emergency services.

"They were victims of a malevolent evil that threatens the whole world, a threat that puts the emergency services into the front line.

"Numbers alone cannot convey the truth of their courage. Numbers cannot account for their loss or account for each broken family and every broken heart.

Firefighters said they feel part of a "brotherhood"

"In their moment of challenge they did not flinch, they did not flee, they did not fail," he said.

The emotional service concluded with the 19th century Fireman's Prayer.

Its final lines read: "And if according to your will I have to give my life, please bless with your protective hand my children and my wife."

'Brotherhood'

Mr Bull said British firefighters had been deeply affected by the tragedy.

The service was very emotional

"Firefighters in the UK have a great affinity for their colleagues in New York and since the disaster have been raising money to help the dependants of those who lost their lives."

Andy Pike of the London Fire Brigade said firefighters were part of a "brotherhood" which was a "unique club".

Many London firefighters had spent time in the US with their New York counterparts, he said.

"The pain the firefighters in New York are feeling is the same pain we're feeling here," Mr Pike told the BBC.

Later he added: "We are very, very aware that if we were unfortunate enough to have planes land on our city then the same result would have happened here."

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and US ambassador William Farish also attended the service.