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Slave trade abolition remembered Slave trade abolition remembered
(about 8 hours later)
A commemoration service is due to be held to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the UK slave trade. A service is due to be held in Westminster Abbey to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain's abolition of the slave trade.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, senior politicians and religious leaders will attend the event at Westminster Abbey. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, senior politicians and religious leaders will attend the event.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will deliver the sermon to a 2,000-strong congregation. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will deliver a sermon to 2,000 people, including descendants of slaves.
The service, to be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 4, commemorates the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act which became law on 25 March 1807. A minute's silence will be followed by the sounding of horns traditionally used to warn of slave trader raids.
The service, to be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 4, commemorates the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act which became law in March 1807.
The service will begin at 1200 BST and will be presided over by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev John Hall.
'Sorrow and regret''Sorrow and regret'
Descendents of slaves and key figures in the abolition movement will be among those at the service which will be presided over by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev John Hall. The Queen is expected to lay flowers on the memorial to William Wilberforce, who led the abolition movement, and the Innocent Victims' Memorial, in honour of all those affected by slavery.
On Saturday thousands of people joined the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for a "walk of witness" in London to mark the anniversary. To conclude the national service, all ten bells at the abbey will ring out, with 200 tolls of the tenor bell to mark the 200th anniversary of the Act of Parliament.
Tony Blair has expressed "deep sorrow and regret" at Britain's role in the slave trade but has stopped short of a full apology. Linda Ali, of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, said the day was about returning dignity to the slaves and acknowledging their contribution to the British economy.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is due to unveil a newly-restored memorial fountain to anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Fowell Buxton at Victoria Tower Gardens in London. She also called on Tony Blair who has expressed "deep sorrow and regret" at Britain's role in the slave trade, to go a step further.
"I don't see what is so very difficult about apologising for what is such a great crime against humanity," said Ms Ali.
The prime minister is expected to attend the service but is not due to speak.
His deputy, John Prescott, will unveil a newly-restored memorial fountain to anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Fowell Buxton at Victoria Tower Gardens in London.
On Saturday, thousands of people joined Dr Williams and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, for a "walk of witness" in London to mark the anniversary.