Reactions have been given to the Sri Lanka attack which targeted Christians and killed more than 300 in several bombings on Easter Sunday.

The small south Asian country held a day of mourning for the victims of the bombs at three churches and three hotels as the death toll rose to 310 with 500 people wounded.

Sri Lanka's government said the attack was carried out by an Islamist group called National Thowheed Jamath.

Christopher Ostrowski, the parliamentary Labour candidate, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the atrocity in Sri Lanka.

“The dark scourge of terrorism has struck again.

“I stand with the persecuted church and all persecuted minorities across the world.

“The Easter message of new hope and new life must and will triumph over division and hatred.

“The Watford Labour party sends its heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families; British, Sri Lankan and all nationalities who have been killed and injured in this attack.”

The Watford Interfaith Association said: “We wish to offer our deep condolences to all those who have been killed, maimed and affected in Sri Lanka.

“With the events of Christchurch still fresh in our minds, this tragic sequence of events must reinforce the love we hold for humanity.

“These targeted attacks can only be evil in every sense.

“This senseless massacre of innocent people is not a hallmark that any faith prescribes, especially at this most holy time for all our fellow Christian brothers and sisters who are celebrating Easter.

“The world we will live in is bound by love not hate, so to those who wish to bring hate and fear we as faiths in Watford are united and stand strong against whatever adversity we face now or in the future.”

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: "These terrible attacks on Christian worshippers in Sri Lanka are utterly horrifying.

"I know that across our town many of us will be praying for all those who suffer because of religious persecution around the world and thinking about everyone affected by these terrible events.

"Watford is a tolerant and harmonious town but events like these show that we should never take this for granted."