Two emotional services marked the start of the public grieving process following the North Yorkshire rail disaster.

The congregation swelled at the Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, where friends and family gathered for a special Eucharist service and a minute's silence for church warden Christopher Terry.

Around 50 people heard the Venerable Richard Seed, Archdeacon of York, describe how Mr Terry, 30, had been sitting in the church only the week before with his wife Vanessa and young son, Benedict, as he did every Sunday.

"Our lives have been turned upside-down this week," he told the tearful churchgoers.

"He was here last week, full of life, full of fun and I hope he is here with us again in spirit."

A card of condolence was left at the rear of the church to be signed, and candles were lit in Mr Terry's memory.

Before the sermon the Archdeacon said: "His death had left a huge hole in community life. He was a bubbly, outgoing, jovial chap.

"He was someone you could very quickly warm to."

A more public service was held at St Paul's Church, Hensall - just one mile from the site.

The service of commemoration and reflection was attended by around 300 people, including local dignitaries, survivors, representatives from the emergency services, victims' families and the media.

"Our hearts go out with the pain of what has happened here," said Reverend Stuart Burgess, chairman of the York Hull District Methodist Church.

"The desperation of the Land Rover driver, the terror of the drivers, the agony of the passengers and crew, the silence of the dead, the suffering of the injured, the determination of those who came to help, the worry of friends and family and the distress of GNER and Railtrack."

The young family of Stephen Dunn, the Brayton freight driver, were among 21 relatives present.

Selby Mayor Councillor John Duggan, John Grogan MP and Roy Wilson, leader of North Yorkshire Council also attended.

A date for a more formal memorial service at York Minster is to be announced in the next few days.

A minute's silence was also held at the site at 3pm, and a short service was conducted by the British Transport Police Chaplain Miles Mitson.

Teams of engineers and emergency service staff are continuing to work on the scene today to remove the last remaining GNER carriages and to clear up the coal spilled from the freight train.

They are hoping to hand the line over to Railtrack engineers tomorrow.

Updated: 09:54 Monday, March 05, 2001