The Guardian's Josh Halliday spoke to Lydia Bernsmeier-Rullow, the woman who started the impromptu singalong. She said: "Don't Look back in Anger - that's what this is about. We can't be looking backward to what happened, we have to look forwards to the future.

"We're all going to join together, we're all going to get on with it because that's what Manchester does."

In Albert Square, which on Tuesday evening hosted a defiant vigil less than 24 hours after the suicide bomber's blast, scores gathered in the shadow of the imposing town hall to pay their respects.

Tony Walsh, a facilities mangers, said: "It's been hugely sad, the atmosphere in the city has completely changed, but we've come together and we're supporting each other."