JESSICA AND HOLLY: THE NATION STOPS: Britain bows its head in moment

BRITAIN came to a virtual standstill yesterday as the entire nation paid homage to Holly and Jessica.

Millions solemnly observed a minute's silence at 3pm.

The tribute - observed at all football pitches from Soham to Anfield - was a fitting tribute to two soccer-mad girls 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."

In Scotland supporters at the clash between Celtic and Partick Thistle paid their respects at Firhill Stadium. At the PGA Golf championship at Gleneagles a klaxon sounded for silence at 3pm. Jockeys and trainers at Newmarket racecourse, which is near Soham, bowed their heads before their first race at 2.10pm. They joined rugby fans at all the major games who also paid homage. The England and India teams led cricket fans in their tribute as they stood side by side at the third Test at Headingley, Leeds. 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: "We wanted to think of those poor families who have had their little girl taken from them, just as we did." 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 centre fell silent and 40,000 revellers at Liverpool's dance extravaganza Creamfields also stood in silence. Europe's biggest gay festival in Manchester came to a halt as party-goers paid their respects.

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 strength of feeling throughout the country has been a great source of strength to Holly and Jessica's parents."

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