The TUC Congress was wound up a day early today in the wake of the terrorist atrocities in the United States.

Delegates agreed it would be inappropriate to continue their debates because of the horrors of the terrorist attacks.

In an unprecedented move, the conference decided to wind up within minutes of starting this morning.

The delegates stood for a minute's silence before filing quietly out of the conference centre in Brighton without singing the traditional Auld Lang Syne.

TUC president Bill Morris said everyone at the conference had been "deeply shocked" by the events in America and the "appalling act of terrorism".