Labour's truncated annual conference closed today with none of the usual razzmatazz of previous occasions.

The conference usually ends with a tub-thumping speech by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, followed by music and singing.

But in keeping with this year's sombre tone, the closing speech went instead to Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid, who rallied the party faithful for the fight ahead.

With the US terrorist attacks continuing to overshadow the annual gathering in Brighton, the normal closing schedule was scrapped.

Instead conference chairwoman Maggie Jones simply stated: "I now formally close the conference and wish you a safe journey home."

Delegates filed out from the conference centre, as Labour MPs were making their way back to Westminster in readiness for tomorrow's emergency recall of Parliament to debate the continuing crisis.