HUNDREDS of people have attended a service to mark the 20th anniversary of the Herald of Free Enterprise tragedy.

The service took place on Sunday, in St Mary’s Church, Dover. The church is home to a stained glass window, in memory of the disaster, plus a scroll listing the names of those who died.

The Herald of Free Enterprise, a roll-on roll-off ferry, capsized on the evening of March 6, 1987, just after setting sail for Dover from Zeebrugge. Her bow doors had been left open and water poured into the car deck. The disaster, in which 193 people died, has since led to major changes in shipping safety.

Sunday’s church service remembered the people who died and prayers were said for survivors, the bereaved and all who helped as part of emergency service teams on both sides of the Channel.

The Rev Nicolas Stacey, former director of Kent County Council social services, who read an address, said it was time to acknowledge the heroism of the Herald’s crew.

He said: "In the blame game that followed the accident, the outstanding, selfless work of the crew in rescuing was never fully acknowledged.

"I want to put the record straight. Most of the 313 passengers who were rescued owe their lives to the crew. They were heroes."

Dover Mayor, Cllr Jan Tranter lit a candle, dedicated in the memory of the tragedy and a memorial book has been opened for people to record their thoughts. The book will be kept in Dover.

John Hudson, a senior barman on board the Herald on the night she capsized, travelled from Cornwall to be at the service.