'We stand with you Manchester': Shock and devastation as 22 people killed in concert blast
"We stand with you" is the message to Manchester today after 22 people, including children, have been killed after a blast tore through crowds leaving a pop concert in the city following a terrorist attack.
59 others were injured in the explosion at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena late on Monday night.
Shropshire politicians have been reacting to the tragic news.
Daniel Kawczynski said: "Appalled by the tragic events in Manchester last night, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been affected.
"Shrewsbury does have many connections with Manchester given its close proximity. Many people go shopping there and go to the airport.
"I am sure everyone in Shrewsbury is united and horrified at the attack."
Mr Kawczynski said he is due to light a candle at St Chad's Church in Shrewsbury tonight.
Philip Dunne, who will be standing once more for the Conservatives for the Ludlow constituency at the General Election, said: "I am shocked by Monday night's events in Manchester.
"It was a cowardly attack on the people of Manchester and the people of Britain. It is particularly shocking that it was targeting teenagers and young children.
"I want to praise the emergency services for the way they responded – police, ambulance crews, doctors and nurses at the hospitals in Greater Manchester who worked through the night to save lives."
Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said: "This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see.
"Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives.
"Our thoughts are with those 22 victims that we now know have died, the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones.
"We continue to do all we can to support them."
Hundreds of people were expected to turn out at a vigil in Market Drayton tonight for those who lost their lives in Manchester.
The High Street is set to be shut between 6.30pm and 8.30pm while residents pay their respects to those who died in last night's terror attack.
Organiser Dwain Smith, 25, said as soon as he saw the news, he knew he had to do something.
He said: "It just shocked me. The kids who had lost their lives and their families – it just broke my heart.
"A news reporter said that there would be memorials all around the country, and I thought that if they were doing it and showing their respects, I'd like Market Drayton to do it as well."
Dwain posted to Facebook, asking how they would go about setting something up. He said he received dozens of comments in support of the idea.
"I put it up on Facebook, and it just went crazy," he said.
"It had more than 100 likes and 50 comments from people who wanted to come down and support.
"The amount of support we've had already is amazing. it's lovely that our community is getting together and remembering those who have lost their lives."
Organisers are expecting at least 200 people to turn out for the two-hour vigil.
A vigil was also being held outside Newtown Town Hall from 6pm tonight.
West Mercia Police say they will be reviewing security measures in Shropshire.
In a joint statement the Chief Constable for West Mercia Police, Anthony Bangham, and the Chief Constable for Warwickshire Police, Martin Jelley said: "Last night's atrocity at the Manchester Arena has shocked and saddened us all and the thoughts of the officers, staff, special constables and volunteers within West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police are with those affected.
"It has been heart warming to see the people of Manchester come together to support each other and the emergency services. It is testimony to the overwhelming power of community spirit.
"Across the counties that we serve we regularly review our security measures and we will be doing this again today to ensure that all is being done to keep you and your families safe.
"It remains vital that the police and the public work together to combat terrorism. If you have any information about suspicious activity or behaviour you can report it in confidence by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or by using the secure form at www.gov.uk/ACT.
"In an emergency situation call 999."
Crews from West Midlands Ambulance Service were supporting crews from the North West Ambulance Service.
About 10 crews from West Midlands Ambulance Service were sent to the scene.
Murray MacGregor, a spokesman from WMAS, said: "Our thoughts are very much with our colleagues in the emergency services and the people of Manchester after the explosion at the Manchester Arena last night.
"As part of a our well rehearsed contingency plans a number of ambulance resources were sent into the North West Ambulance Service area to provide support while NWAS were dealing with the incident.
"These resources have now been stood down and returned to their normal operating areas.
"We would like to thank the many staff who offered to stay late and work additional shifts."
Telford & Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies will be writing to the mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham to offer support in the wake of the bombing.
Flags at the council's headquarters at Addenbrooke House were flying at half mast today.
Councillor Davies said: “On behalf of the people of Telford and Wrekin our thoughts are with all of the victims of last night’s horrific events in Manchester and with their families and friends.
We remember those so brutally murdered and pray for the recovery of those injured.
“We stand together with those at last night’s concert and with the city and people of Manchester. We are very grateful to the emergency services for their very professional response to the events.
“To deliberately and callously target so many children and young people enjoying a night out makes this even harder to comprehend.
“Terrorism aims to sow fear, division and hate.
“It must not be allowed to prevail. Now it is more important than ever that, in the face of such threats, we continue to ensure that we will not be cowed and that our values will not be shaken.”
One Shropshire businesswoman was offering lifts to people who found themselves stuck in the city and were struggling to get home to the county.
Rachel Forrester, 36, runs The Glam Studio in Longden Coleham, Shrewsbury said her housemate, Ricky Gwilliam was inside the Arndale Centre when it was evacuated earleir morning but had managed to get to his work based on Canal Street, in the city centre.
The pair had stayed up until 4am watching the aftermath of the bombing unfold.
Rachel said: "I was coming back anyway and I put the offer out to help get people back.
"The atmosphere is really strange, we feel absolutely devastated but everyone is coming together to think of ways they can help.
"It is absolutely heartbreaking and scary, I actually feel scared.
"Although I was coming back anyway, I feel like I want to stay in Manchester in solidarity. We've all got friends and people we know who knew people that were there."
Rachel said she was planning to leave the city between 3pm and 4pm and anyone who needs help should contact her through Facebook.
Rt Rev. Mark Davies, the Bishop of Shrewsbury: "Let us continue to pray for those who have died and their families and all who are suffering as a result of the terrible events of last night.
"Let us also keep in our prayer the police and emergency services together with all hospital staff and chaplains."
