Minute of silence for Arena bombing anniversary

A minute of silence is set to be observed at Manchester's Victoria Station as the city marks the eighth anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing.

Manchester City Council said silence would be observed twice throughout Thursday - at 12:00 BST and again at 22:32 - the exact time of the attack.

Twenty-two people were killed in the bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017 and hundreds more were injured.

Manchester Lord Mayor Carmaine Grimshaw and Council Leader Bev Craig will lay floral tributes to the victims "on behalf of the city" at the Glade of Light memorial near Manchester Cathedral, the council said.

The names of those killed are also set to be read out at services at the cathedral at 09:00, 13:10 and 17:30.

Craig described the attack as "one of the darkest days in Manchester's history".

"But its aftermath also showed the city's remarkable solidarity and Mancunians' refusal to give in to those who would seek to divide us," she said.

"We remember them throughout the year but each anniversary is especially poignant."

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