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‘Don’t look back in anger’ - that was the message in St Ann’s Square as thousands of mourners paid tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena attack .

A minute of silence was held at 11am among a sea of flowers laid by Mancunians and friends from around the world following Monday night’s horror, which claimed the lives of 22 people.

As the 60 seconds came to end, the crowd burst into a round of applause followed by a rendition of Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’.

Men, women and children sang their hearts out, many with tears streaming down their faces.

Carmel McLaughlin, from Old Trafford, said Manchester was grieving ‘as a family.’

“This is collective bereavement,” she told the M.E.N.

“We’re one big family in Manchester. It feels like we have lost members of our own family.

“That’s why we’re all here today. It’s amazing to see that so many people care.”

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Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and other city council representatives laid flowers at the monument.

Meanwhile a police helicopter could be heard hovering above the city as GMP and counter terrorism police carry out a massive operation into Monday night’s attack.