Defiant Londoners make their way to work shaken but undeterred after London terror attack

Defiant Londoners made their way to work today shaken but undeterred yards from the scene of the terror attack on the Houses of Parliament.

Commuters solemnly walked through the streets of Westminster close to where four people were killed in horrific scenes around Westminster Bridge.

Police ushered commuters past deserted cordoned off streets which are normally packed with rush hour traffic. A helicopter circled overhead.

Kate Cornish, who works for the Department of Education which was put on lockdown during the terror attack, said: "Brits are quite stoic. I think it's carrying on as normal, it's the style."

She said the mood on the commute was "flattened" but workers were continuing with their daily lives.

"It's shocking. I'm a civil servant and it will have an effect at work," she said

"It's hard to carry on with your normal responsibilities."

"It's more the impact on your friends, checking how you are."

Rus Odihiri, a policy adviser who works for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "Nothing would have kept me at home today.

The government worker, based on Millbank near to Parliament, said: "I could have worked from home but I was intent on coming in to work."

He added the extra police on the streets was "comforting" and people were "carrying on as normal".

James Sinclair, who was walking past the attack scene on his way to work in Victoria, said: "Everyone is very subdued.

"I'm coming in as normal, it wouldn't affect me.

"I think that's the way, just keep going."

He added: "It's very reassuring seeing a heavy police presence. It currently looks well controlled."

A US tourist who gave his name only as David, who was visiting London for just two days when yesterday's attack struck, said he "has not been put off" with his sightseeing plans.

He said: "I think it's just a horrible tragedy.

"My plans today have only slightly been affected, I won't be able to get as close to the sightseeing as I would have.

"I haven't been put off.

"We had to walk out luggage to our hotel instead of drive it, but that's a minor inconvenience."

It came as police and politicians held a minute's silence in honour of victims.

Police carried out six raids on addresses in London and Birmingham after the attack. Seven people were arrested.

Seven people are critically injured in hospital after the attack. A total of 29 people were taken to hospital.

The attacker, a suspected Islamist terrorist, was shot at the scene and later died.