The vigil, illuminated by the gentle light from hundreds of tea candles, was a moment of quiet reflection for a city united in grief.

British Transport Police Chief Constable Paul Crowther said he was "incredibly proud" of the police response at Manchester Victoria station in the immediate aftermath of the blast.

He said: "Like many others, their first instinct was to go into the scene - they did a fantastic job.

"It never ceases to amaze me how police officers and others in public service step forward into danger when others are fleeing.

"I know they did their very best for the people they tended to."

Liam Sumpter, managing director of Northern Trains which run out at Manchester Victoria, said 15 members of staff were among those first on the scene.

He said: "They provided first aid and comfort to those victims without any thought to their own safety and without any training in that sort of response. They did the whole industry proud and I've got no doubt that they made a big difference on the evening.