PEOPLE across East Lancashire will hold a three-minute silence tomorrow as a mark of respect for those who died in the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

Town hall flags will fly at half mast in the morning before the silence at noon.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has also opened a book of condolence at both town hall venues.

A council spokesman said: "We will be asking employees to observe the three minutes silence and we will have our flags at half mast as marks of respect."

In Burnley, as well as taking part in the silence, council staff have been asked to dig deep and contribute to a collection being taken throughout this week.

Tessa Jowell, the government's culture secretary, said: "The silence is to commemorate the victims of the catastrophe and is in solidarity with the people of the affected countries.

"On the same day flags on government buildings will be flown at half mast. The government hopes that employers will do all they can to ensure that employees are able to observe the silence."

The silence will be held simultaneously across Europe.