Star date: 23rd May 2017

"EVERYONE WAS CRYING...WE WERE JUST BEING PUSHED OUT...WE GOT INTO THE FOYER AND THERE WAS ALL SMOKE" Anya 13.

As the Salford Council flag flew at half mast this morning, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham condemned the "evil act" that saw 22 people die and 59 injured by a suicide bomber at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena last night.

The Salford Star editor's daughter, Anya, age 13, was at the gig... "There was this big bang, like an explosion sound, and everyone started screaming and running to the exits... everyone was crying and we were just being pushed out" she says "We got into the foyer bit and there was all smoke and this guy was bleeding..."

There is a vigil at Albert Square, Manchester tonight at 6pm.

Full details here...

"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" said Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable, Ian Hopkins, this morning...

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, spoke of the "Shock, anger and hurt that we feel today...these were children, young people and their families who those responsible chose to terrorise...this was an evil act..."

The Ariana Grande concert had just finished when a huge explosion was heard inside the Manchester Arena. At first, staff were telling worried teenagers that a balloon had burst, then that a speaker had blown up. It was only later that it was confirmed that a suicide bomber had exploded a device that left 22 people dead and 59 injured. The shock and horror has resounded throughout Salford, Greater Manchester and the world ever since...

The Salford Star editor's daughter, Anya, age 13, was at the Ariana Grande concert with her friend and her older cousins...

"The concert had just finished and we were waiting to get out and then there was this big bang, like an explosion sound, and everyone started screaming and running to the exits" she recalls "Everyone was crying and we were just being pushed out; it was really hard to get out because everyone was pushing and shoving each other. It was like a stampede but my friend's cousins helped me to get out...

"We got into the foyer bit and there was all smoke, and this guy was bleeding; he had trainer marks on his face; he'd been trampled" she adds "I'm just glad we got out quite quickly..."

Minutes before the explosion, Anya had been filming Ariana Grande's final song at the concert, where young people can be heard screaming for the pop star*. No-one knew the horror that would ensue...

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has urged people to join him at a vigil at Albert Square tonight at 6pm... "We are grieving today" he says "But we are strong..."

“broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don't have words” Ariana Grande on Twitter

* To see the concert footage see the Salford Star YouTube Channel – click here