Manchester Arena attack victims remembered one year on

22 people were killed at the Ariana Grande concert last year.

Published 22nd May 2018
Last updated 22nd May 2018

The 22 victims of the Manchester Arena atrocity are to be remembered at a service marking the first anniversary of the tragedy.

More than 800 people were injured or left traumatised after a bomb was detonated as people left an Ariana Grande concert.

Our Senior reporter, Hope Webb, is in Manchester.

The Duke of Cambridge and the Prime Minister will attend Manchester Cathedral along with some of the hundreds injured in the May 22 terror attack, first responders to the scene, civic leaders and other national figures.

The service, held between 2pm and 3pm, incorporated a national silence at 2.30pm, which was also marked at UK government buildings.

Prince William privately met some of the bereaved families following the multi-faith service.

Vicki McFarlane from Aberdeenshire was inside the arena, along with her 11 year-old daughter.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is travelling to Manchester for the memorial services.

Writing in the Manchester Evening News, Theresa May said: "The targeting of the young and innocent as they enjoyed a carefree night out in the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017 was an act of sickening cowardice.

"It was designed to strike at the heart of our values and our way of life in one of our most vibrant cities, with the aim of breaking our resolve and dividing us. It failed.

"For such appalling acts of wickedness will do nothing but strengthen our resolve to defeat such twisted ideologies and beliefs.

"The resilience and determination shown by this city in the 12 months since is testament to that.''

Ariana Grande has tweeted her support.

Later this evening, more than 3,000 singers from local choirs will join forces and share the spirit of solidarity at the Manchester Together - With One Voice event in the city's Albert Square from 7.30pm-9pm.

Among those performing are the Manchester Survivors Choir, a group made up people who were at the

Arena on the night of the fateful Ariane Grande concert, and Parrs Wood High School's Harmony Group, whose post-attack tribute went viral last year.

A mass 30-minute communal singalong finale promises to be the highlight of the concert, with songs including Ariana Grande's One Last Time, One Day Like This by Elbow, Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis and Never Forget by Take That.

At 10.31pm, bells will ring out from the city's Town Hall, St Ann's Church and St Mary's RC Church to mark the moment when the attack took place 12 months ago.

Salman Abedi, 22, detonated his bomb device at the end of the concert with 353 people, including 175 children, around him in the foyer of the venue.