Rick Rescorla was captured on security cameras leading thousands of people to safety before he died in the 11 September terror attack on New York.

Mr and Mrs Rescorla met in America

The head of security for American bank Morgan Stanley Dean Witter was in the south tower of the World Trade Centre when the second suicide plane hit.

On Saturday his widow Susan made the emotional trip to her husband's home town of Hayle, where his mother Annie still lives and where his cousin John Daniels runs a pub.

Final message

She recalled her husband's last words to her when he phoned her from inside the WTC.

"He said I want you to stop crying, I have to get these people out.

"If something happens to me, you just have to know you have made my life."

She said she had wanted to make the trip to thank her husband's friends and family for all their help.

Susan Rescorla had a last message

"I knew it would help me to be here with my husband again."

Her 62-year-old husband had refused to leave the building until workers were safely out.

His colleagues reported that he sang Cornish songs to them to stop them panicking and he also managed to telephone his wife to tell her not to worry, before losing his life.

Film adaptation

Hollywood couple Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon are planning to make a film about the tragedy, highlighting Mr Rescorla's bravery.

A Vietnam war veteran, Mr Rescorla emigrated to America when he was 23. He married his American wife Susan three years ago.

Ahead of the visit his cousin Mr Daniels said Mrs Rescorla wanted to meet her husband's friends from before he moved to America.

The publican has also organised for the St Austell Brewery to produce a cask of ale called September Day to mark Mrs Rescorla's return to the town.

Proceeds from the sale of the beer will go towards Mr Rescorla's memorial fund.