Blackburn and Darwen remembers the victims of the Manchester bombing

People came together today to remember the 22 victims who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombing.

Services were held outside Blackburn and Darwen town halls to mark the first anniversary of the attack at the end of a concert by pop star Ariana Grande.

Madison Walker and Kelly Dixon, who were both at the concert, attended the service in Blackburn.

Madison, 12, read the poem A Time for Everything and pupils from Our Lady and St John Catholic College choir performed the song The Call by the Poppy Girl.

A minute’s silence was held and 22 virtual balloons were released on the digital screen outside the town hall to symbolise those who died.

Prayers were said by The Rev Canon Dr Rowena Pailing from Blackburn Cathedral. Ashok Chudasama from Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Forum also spoke.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

We will never forget those innocent people caught up in such a terrible attack so close to home.

All we can do now is keep their memory alive and stand together against these acts of violence which set out to divide us.

A minute’s silence was also held outside Darwen Town Hall where prayers were led by Rev David Bacon, Vicar of St Barnabus Church.

The Oasis song Don’t Look Back in Anger, which has become an anthem of solidarity following the attack, was played.

Councillor Jim Shorrock, Deputy Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

All of us can remember when the news boke of the bombing at Manchester Arena and waking up to the full horror the following morning.

Twenty-two people lost their lives that night and over the following days. But this was not just 22 lives lost; this was 22 families left devastated by that disaster and callous act.

Many more were left with serious and life-changing injuries, from which some will never recover.

See more pictures on Flickr.