Religious leaders opened churches and met commuters at stations to offer their support in the aftermath of yesterday's terrorist attacks.

Reverend Alison Bowman stood on the platform at Preston Park as people returned home to Brighton and Hove. Last night she opened St John's church in Preston Park as a sanctuary for those who wanted somewhere quiet and peaceful to reflect on the days' events.

Father Douglas McKittrick, Archdeacon of Chichester and former vicar of Brighton, today offered his condolences to the victims and their families but insisted this was a tragedy that would be overcome.

Travelling to the General Synod in York he admitted he was slightly relieved his original train had been cancelled, meaning he would not have to travel via London.

He said: "Everyone is a little anxious about travelling today wherever they are going. People cannot stop thinking about what has happened.

"But of course we are more anxious about those who have been hurt and injured and our thoughts are particularly with the families of those people who have been killed.

"I was very pleased Alison went to the station to offer her ministry and opened the church yesterday. At times like these it is nice for them to have somewhere to go."

Rabbi Vivian Silverman, leader of Hove Hebrew Congregation in Holland Road, said: "We feel absolutely shocked. It is a terrible thing that was carried out yesterday.

"Having witnessed this kind of thing before first hand in Israel over the past few years we sympathise and understand the impact of this terrible loss of life."

Dr Abduljalil Sajid, chairman of The Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony UK and a leading Muslim figure in Sussex, condemned the attacks as being against Islam.

He called on Muslims to "reject the poisonous hatred of those who seek to stain our faith with the blood of innocents".

He said: "We must be vigilant and are making all efforts to make sure that terror will not succeed in its evil intention to wreck our peaceful lives with fear and hate."

Father Cyril Cravos of the Catholic Church of The Sacred Heart in Fort Road, Newhaven, said members of his congregation had been shocked by the attacks.

He said: "People are frightened. We are only 70 miles from central London but this type of attack could happen anywhere in the country.

"There are so many people living in London with relatives down here, it has affected a lot of people."

A special mass will be held at St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Bristol Road, Brighton, at 8pm tonight .