HUNDREDS of people in Selby Abbey listened to a poignant message from the Prince of Wales as they gathered to remember the Selby rail disaster.

In his message, read by Sir William Castell, chief executive of the Prince's Trust, the Prince paid tribute to the "extraordinary courage" of those involved in the tragedy at Great Heck a year ago which left ten people dead.

He said: "Our thoughts return to that day, and our prayers are with those who are mourning family and friends and for whom the sense of loss will be as great today as it was a year ago.

"I pray that the Memorial garden, at the site of the crash, will help to ease that pain.

"It is a place for reflection where the trees and flowers represent new life and new hope."

Prince's Trust volunteers have been involved in creating the Memorial garden.

The congregation, which included bereaved families, friends and colleagues, survivors, clergy and members of the emergency services, heard a number of readings.

Judith Cairncross, sister of Raymond Robson who died in the tragedy, read a passage by Canon Henry Scott Holland on behalf of the bereaved.

Robert Brook, who spoke on behalf of the injured, said it was impossible to express in a few words all the varied feelings, experiences and memories of those who were travelling on the two trains a year ago.

Detective Superintendent Peter McKay, who lead the investigation in to the crash, said he hoped the memorial service would help speed the healing process.

After the service the Selby Abbey vicar, the Reverend Keith Jukes, said the event had brought back memories for everyone.

He said: "At the focus of this service was not just the bereaved families but also the injured and those who continue to live with the memories and effects of the tragedy on year on."

Great Snaith rector the Reverend Cyril Roberts, who worked at the crash scene with Mr Jukes, said there was an enormous amount of need to be met with the service.

He said: "Today we were doing the same thing we did on that morning we comforted people, talked to them and kept them warm there is nothing high and mighty about it."

Updated: 08:29 Friday, March 01, 2002