A WEEK after suicide bombers struck in London, the devastated family of a missing father-of-two today said they believe he is dead. At midday today the nation is to come to a standstill as it pays tribute to those who died in the atrocities with a two-minute silence.

A WEEK after suicide bombers struck in London, the devastated family of a missing father-of-two today said they believe he is dead.

At midday today the nation is to come to a standstill as it pays tribute to those who died in the atrocities with a two-minute silence.

As the streets of London fall silent people in Ipswich are expected to join millions across the UK as they show their solidarity and support for the stricken capital.

Since Thursday it has emerged two men from Ipswich disappeared in the capital.

Richard Ellery, 21, has not made contact with his Southampton-based family since 8.30am on Thursday when he was travelling to London for a staff training day.

The 21-year-old lives with friends in Ipswich and works in the town's Jessops camera shop.

A second man Richard Gray, 41, was travelling to work from his home in Ipswich on a "normal day" when the terrorist attacks happened. His family has not heard from him since.

A statement issued on behalf of his family yesterday described Mr Gray as a "wonderful, loving father" to his two children, Ruby, seven, and Adam, 11.

It said: "Richard left for work on Thursday morning, catching his usual train from Ipswich station to Liverpool Street and then taking the tube.

"It seemed like just a normal day - and then the incident happened and he didn't come home to his family.

"Richard is missing, but we believe he died in London, although this is not confirmed.

"He is a wonderful, loving father to Adam and Ruby and an extremely loving, caring an sensitive husband to Louise.

"He is loved deeply by Louise and his mother Maureen, father Martyn, stepfather John, brothers Matthew, Donal and Ian and also his mother and father-in-law Celia and Paul, who see him as a son."

Mr Gray has lived in Ipswich for most of his life, after moving to the town when he was eight years old.

His family said: "He has made many, many friends - and his other love, after his family, is the Ipswich - East Suffolk Hockey Club where he played for more than 20 years.

"We want to thank Louise's best friends, Jan and Lisa, and their families for their immeasurable help and support at this time - and also Richard's brother Matthew and his girlfriend, Rachel.

"We also want to thank Richard's work colleagues at FW Smith Riches and Co in Pall Mall, London, where he works as a tax manager. Their support has been tremendous."