CALLS to a local bereavement support group have significantly increased following the terrorist atrocity in America.

The number of people contacting the South West Herts Bereavement Network has risen by about 40 per cent in the past two weeks.

Managers say the increase is a direct result of people's reaction to the tragedy in the USA.

Network co-ordinator Mrs Alex Rebuck said: "We have noticed, in the past two weeks, an upsurge in the number of people calling. A couple of calls were from people actually missing people in the States but we are also speaking to a lot of people about their fears.

"We've noticed when we're seeing people to give them counselling, a greater sense of insecurity is making their loss and their experience of bereavement more of a struggle.

"We're getting calls from those who might have coped with things in their own way.

"This kind of event pushes people over the edge to get a bit more help."

Mrs Rebuck said many support and counselling organisations had seen a similar reaction in the weeks following the death of Princess Diana.

But she added: "That was a cathartic response this is different. This is more about people feeling unsafe. The talk about chemical warfare, bombs going off it is that insecurity. When people are bereaved they do feel less safe, they don't have any confidence."

The South West Herts Bereavement Network offers free advice, support and counselling to those who have lost loved ones. It has community counselling centres in Watford, Rickmansworth, Bushey and South Oxhey. The helpline number is 01923 229595.