Game withdrawn after attacks

The website offers games for download

A computer game in which players try to defend the World Trade Center from kamikaze pilots has been withdrawn.

The game, called WTC Defender, had been available for download over the internet.

Please note - the game was not meant to offend anyone

Website message

The Angelfire website which hosted the game has since posted a message expressing regret at any offence caused.

In a perverse echo of reality, to win the game, players had to shoot down aeroplanes which were heading for the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

Removed

If the players failed to intercept the attacking planes and an aircraft managed to get through, the buildings blew up.

Thousands of people are feared dead after two hijacked passenger planes were flown into the towers on Tuesday.

A note on the site now says: "WTC Defender - the game has been removed.

"Please note - the game was not meant to offend anyone, my deepest condolences to all of you who have lost someone in this tragedy."

A Bulgarian news agency reported that a Bulgarian internet club managed to download the game before it was withdrawn.