JESSICA AND HOLLY: THE NATION STOPS: SORROW ..SILENCE

AT soccer grounds and cricket matches, at railway stations and supermarkets, in busy offices and at bustling airports, Britain came to a standstill to remember Holly and Jessica yesterday.

Most of those in the silent, motionless queues or gathered around flaming candles at makeshift shrines had never met the two 10-year- olds from Soham in Cambridgeshire. But on a warm, August Bank Holiday weekend, millions observed a minute's silence.

The tributes observed at all football pitches - from their home town to Anfield - were a fitting homage to two soccer-mad girls who were last seen wearing their Man Utd tops.

A spokesman for the FA said: "The girls' love of football is well known and everyone connected to the game is keen to pay their respects."

Jockeys and trainers at Newmarket racecourse, which is close to Soham, bowed their heads before their first race at 2.10pm.

They joined rugby fans at all the major games who also paid homage. And at the Scottish PGA Golf championship at Gleneagles a klaxon sounded for silence at 3pm.

The England and India teams led cricket fans in their tribute as they stood side by side at the third Test at Headingley, Leeds. England coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Nasser Hussain have also sent cards to both families expressing their sympathy. "In our own very small way, this minute's silence is cricket's way of showing profound sympathy for the parents of Holly and Jessica.

"We cannot fully appreciate the depths of despair and sheer sorrow they are feeling, but we can show we care," said John Read, director of corporate affairs at the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The silence also spread to churches around Britain. Candles were lit and prayers were said at Ely Cathedral, which will remember Holly and Jessica in a special service on Friday at 5pm. Vicky Whatley, 40, and daughter Charlene, 13, set up a shrine to the girls outside Kingsholm Church in Southmead, Bristol.

Vicky said: "The last time I did something like this was when Princess Diana died."

The family of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne also held their own private minute's silence at their home in Surrey. Sarah's mum Sara said: "As a family we wanted to think of those poor families who have had their little girl taken from them, just as we did."

Major supermarkets allowed staff and customers to pay their respects around Britain. Shoppers also stood still in Grimsby, home town of caretaker Ian Huntley, 28, who is accused of the girls' murder.

Parts of Birmingham city centre fell silent as motorbike fans who had gathered to watch the Red Bull Freestyle Motorcross Show paused for a minute's reflection. Tim Kirby, 26, who organised the event said: "We wanted to join the rest of the country in silent tribute."

Elizabeth Forbes, 24, had been shopping with friends in Birmingham and was among those who stopped to remember. She said: "It was only a minute out of my day. Holly and Jessica's parents will have this on their minds for the rest of their life. I wanted my thoughts to be with them at this difficult time."

The 40,000 revellers at Liverpool's dance extravaganza Creamfields were also silent. Europe's biggest gay festival in Manchester halted as people paid their respects at Mardi Gras.

Thousands of rock fans at the Reading and Leeds festivals signed a book of condolence.

Cambridgeshire Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hebb, working on the murder inquiry, said: "The feeling throughout the country has been a great strength to Holly and Jessica's parents."

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