A MINUTE'S silence to remember the victims of the Tunisian beach shootings passed most people by as they went about their business in Bournemouth Square on Friday. 

A handful of shoppers out on the streets did honour the silence at noon - and some shops, banks, and workplaces also took a pause in memory of the 38 people killed - including 30 Britons. But for many the moment passed unrecognised.

Philip Tyrrell, 63, from Bournemouth, who observed the silence in the Square said he was surprised to see so few around him do so.

He added: "It could have been any one of us - those people went out there for a holiday and never came back - under such cruel circumstances. I felt it was important to take a moment to reflect on those poor victims and their families."

He added: "It's a very unsettling world we live in."

Robert Ballantyne, 69, from Bournemouth, added: "We were on a very similar beach on the same day in the Canary Islands - another country, but it could have been any of us."

Flags flew at half mast over Bournemouth and Poole civic offices as councillors and officers stopped to honour those killed when a gunman opened fire on tourists staying in the popular resort of Port El Kantaoui, just north of Sousse, on Friday last week.

At Poole civic centre they gathered in the members’ car park for the silence at 12noon, when Mark Phillips, Borough of Poole Chaplain, said a few words and read a prayer he'd written for the moment. Dorset Police force flew the flag at half mast at the Winfrith headquarters and officers across the county took part where appropriate. 

Morebus also observed the national minute of silence, with drivers pulling over at midday, if it was safe to do so.

Foreign Minister and Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said it was a "dignified and appropriate way for the nation to recognise the enormous tragedy that has taken place, and to support the families." 

A special ceremony was also held at the scene of the killings in Sousse, attended by dignitaries and tourists.

At Wimbledon, matches on the outdoor courts started 45 minutes late at 12.15pm to allow spectators and participants to take part in the silence.