LEADER of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Cllr Mohammed Khan, was among those paying respects to people who died in the Sri Lanka terror attack.

A service was held at Blackburn Cathedral led by the Dean of Blackburn Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Howell Jones from 11am on Friday.

And at 11.30am those in attendance observed a minute of silence in memory of those who died.

As well as Cllr Khan, borough mayor Cllr Pat McFall and chief executive of the council, Harry Catherall, were among the dignitaries at the service.

Cllr Khan said: "I am appalled and deeply saddened about the horrific events on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

"Atrocities such as these are an attack on us all.

"We mustn’t let hatred win."

The death toll from the Easter suicide bombings in Sri Lanka has risen to 359.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility and released images that purported to show the seven bombers who blew themselves up at three churches and three hotels on Sunday.