Remembering the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing

The county continues to keep the 22 victims, four from Lancashire, in their thoughts after the bombing at 10.31pm at the Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017.

Eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, from Leyland, was one of the victims of the attack.

Georgina Callander, 18 and from Tarleton, was in her second year at Runshaw College in Runshaw when she lost her life in the attack.

Michelle Kiss, 45 from Whalley, was killed while waiting in the foyer of the arena to pick up her daughter, who escaped uninjured.

The 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing

Jane Tweddle, 51, who lived in Blackpool had gone to the arena with a friend to pick up the friend's daughter.

Speaking on social media, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: “Today we’re remembering the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack.

“Sunday 22 May marks the fifth anniversary of the 2017 terror attack which affected so many people across our borough.

“At Manchester Cathedral the 8.45am, 10.30am and 5.30pm prayers will include acts of remembrance.

“The cathedral will be open throughout the day to enable people to light candles or have some quiet reflection.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "Today is the 5th anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing.

"Our thoughts are with the families, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police and the wonderful city of Manchester that taught us the power of strength and resilience in a community, in the face of tragedy."

Remembrance services will also take place at the Glade of Light Memorial in the city centre, while bells at the nearby Manchester Cathedral will toll at 10.31pm, marking the time of the attack.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge officially opened the permanent memorial earlier this month.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the courage shown by people in Manchester in the days following the attack had “touched the world”, as he paid tribute to the victims.

He said: “Like the country my thoughts are with the victims, families and friends of all those affected by the cowardly attack on Manchester Arena five years ago today.

“This was an act of terrorism against the freedoms we all hold dear, but as the people of Manchester demonstrated so courageously in the days that followed, hatred will never win.

“The bravery and defiance shown by Mancunians touched the world and just as we remember all those taken from us, we must remember and celebrate that triumph of love and community.”

Half a decade ago, thousands of children and parents had enjoyed an Ariana Grande concert at the arena.

Manchester-born Salman Abedi, 22, surrounded by the throng of youngsters leaving the gig, exploded his shrapnel-packed rucksack bomb, sending thousands of nuts and bolts shredding everything in their path.

Along with the 22 bystanders killed, six of them children, hundreds more were injured.