A north Wales policeman who was sent to New York following the terrorist attacks on America has returned to Ground Zero to mark the first anniversary.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Lloyd was the only family liaison officer from Wales who was sent to help British families searching for their relatives.

Stephen Lloyd will return to New York

He has gone back to the site of the World Trade Center where more than 3,000 people were killed.

It is his task to help families who are returning to mark the anniversary and to attend church services.

He said he will never forget what he witnessed when he first visited the famous city.

"There were a few families who flew out expecting to find their loved ones wandering around through Manhattan.

I'll be flying the flag really for the British police forces

Detective Sergeant Stephen Lloyd

"However, we knew from the moment that we got there that it wasn't going to be the case.

"The emergency services set up emergency reception centres at hospitals and people were called into work expecting a massive influx of injured people but it just didn't happen."

The Wrexham based officer was asked to return following an invitation by the British consulate.

He said he felt honoured to have received a personal invitation: "I'll be flying the flag really for the British police forces."

He said he will be at the city's disposal during his five-day working trip.

New York firefighters searched for survivors

"We will undertake any work they want us to really, we'll be there available if they require any practical assistance.

"When I first came back it probably wasn't on the top of my list of places to re-visit because of what had gone on.

"Now the opportunity has come again, there's some trepidation obviously because it'll be quite an emotional couple of days."

The Detective Sergeant has more than 20-years of policing experience but he said he did not know what to expect when he first flew out to help.

Loved ones

During the first 18 days, 58 different families were dealt with and 210 individuals from all over the world.

"We flew out on the 15 September and our tasks were to meet the families at the airport, take them to the hotels and make sure they were booked in.

"We were arranging for them to go to Pier 94 which was the reception centre where they could report their loved ones lost.

"We also took the families down to ground zero where they could lay flowers and condolences."

DS Lloyd will be joined in New York by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey and the Lord Mayor of London.