UK death toll could be lower

More than 6,300 people in total are still missing

The number of Britons thought to have died in the US terror attacks could be lower than previously feared, according to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

The final number killed is still not known but is likely to be less than the 200 suggested by Prime Minister Tony Blair, she told a news conference in New York.

Ms Jowell said the significant fall was due to some people being registered as missing twice and more accurate lists of all those inside the towers when they collapsed were now available.

Jowell: Co-ordinating support to families

According to British Consulate officials, the number of Britons confirmed dead in the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in Washington is still in "single digits".

Ms Jowell said: "The final number is likely to be less than the 200 figure that the prime minister was referring to last weekend but how much less than that is really premature to say.

"Of course, the first to know will be the relatives."

More than 6,300 people are still missing feared dead in the attacks on the WTC, but only 232 have been identified so far. Another 189 people died in the attack on the Pentagon.

Ms Jowell is visiting New York to meet firefighters who battled to rescue people after the attacks.

She said British families owed an enormous debt of gratitude to the firefighters and their colleagues who died.

'Unprecedented tragedy'

Ms Jowell, who has been given special responsibility for co-ordinating the support for the British relatives of the victims of the attacks, also delivered personal letters of thanks from Tony Blair.

The prime minister had intended to meet firefighters and police during his visit to New York last week, but had to cancel that part of his visit to meet President George Bush.

On her visit Ms Jowell said: "The prime minister wanted to come and thank them personally last week and I have brought a personal letter to the firefighters and the police from him.

"They need to know how grateful we are for what they have done to save the lives of British people in this unprecedented tragedy."

Ms Jowell was introduced to firemen Tom Woods and Captain Mark Munnelly, who met Tony Blair's wife Cherie when they visited the disaster scene last week.

'Impressive operation'

Capt Munnelly said both visits had meant a lot to him and his men.

He said: "We know we are not isolated, but the whole world recognises what has happened and supports us.

"This letter from the prime minister shows us the world is grieving with us and we really appreciate it."

Tony Blair: praise for firefighters

Mr Blair's letter was sent to fire battalion chief James Wendling with a message of praise for the courage of his staff.

Mr Blair said they were an "inspiration to the world", adding: "We stand with you in your sorrow".

Later, Ms Jowell visited the family centre set up by authorities in New York to deal with the relatives and friends of those missing and killed in the World Trade Center attacks.

She said: "It is an extraordinarily impressive operation on a very large scale.

And the minister said she was using her visit to review whether there were "gaps" in the help being offered to British families.

"Whether or not the support is enough is something each family will judge," she said.