A memorial service has been held to mark the 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha tragedy.

The Rev Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the UK oil and gas industry, warned that "we should hang our heads in shame" if the 167 victims who lost their lives on July 6, 1988 were forgotten.

The Piper Alpha disaster was caused after a gas leak on the North Sea platform ignited, engulfing it in a massive fireball.

Survivors, relatives of those who died, industry representatives and local people were among hundreds who attended the service at the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting in Aberdeen.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, The Duke of Gloucester and Scotland Office Minister David Cairns also attended.

Many attended a later act of remembrance at the Piper Alpha memorial statue in Hazlehead Park.

Mr Jolly said: "There must always be names with faces, stories of sacrifice and of love, devotion and faith, so that what has gone on before does not become just another statistic.

"If we as a community, or as an oil and gas industry, or as a city, or as a country allow that to happen, we should hang our heads in shame.

"Today here in this kirk we will remember them by name, reminding us not just who they are, but who they were and who they will always be to those who knew and loved them."

As the names were read out, many of the hundreds who gathered in the church wept.

There were only 62 survivors in what remains the world's worst offshore disaster.

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