A YORK church is inviting all American visitors to the city this weekend to remember the terrorist outrages of 9-11 by attending a flower festival.

The festival, called Hope For The Future, was being held at St Paul's Church, Holgate Road, today and tomorrow.

Its preview took place on Thursday, the second anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Centre in New York by aircraft hijackers. Children from St Paul's Primary School sang for "peace, perfect peace".

The festival came about after Mary McNiven, a member of St Paul's, had a recurring dream of a church full of flowers with people praying for peace. She shared her vision with other church members and enthusiasm for the project spread.

Mary said: "I'd particularly like to invite any Americans in the city at this time to share their thoughts with us and to explore our theme of Hope For The Future."

Funds raised by the flower festival will go to two centres which bring hope in the face of disaster - St Leonard's Hospice, Tadcaster Road, York, and Martin House children's hospice, at Boston Spa.

The festival is open until early evening today, and from noon until 5.30pm tomorrow. Admission is £1.50 on the door - accompanied children free. Celebration services tomorrow will be at 8.45am, 10.15am and 6.30pm.

Updated: 10:19 Saturday, September 13, 2003