All standing side by side

JUST when we thought there was nothing left that could shock us.

The thought that anyone would want to take a bomb into a crowd of children and families enjoying a pop concert in Manchester is so horrific it is unfathomable.

The youngsters there would have been excitedly looking forward to seeing Ariana Grande perform for weeks, for months. Many families speaking after the carnage told how tickets for the concert had been given as Christmas presents.

Now instead of racing into school to tell their classmates how the night went, many children are either not returning at all – or are lying in hospital beds in Manchester with horrific, life-changing injuries.

Today we share the devastating news that two local girls, Saffie Rose Roussos, eight, and Georgina Callander, 18, were among those killed in the blast We cannot even begin to imagine the heartbreak their families and friends are going through.

We also report, however, the tremendous support and kindness shown by many people after the tragedy.

Seeing hundreds of people come out to support the grieving families in Tarleton on Tuesday night was heartwarming. Now is the time that we must all stand side by side.

It was also good on Tuesday evening to see Russell Brand give the proceeds of his Southport gig to the Manchester Arena victims. Elsewhere people have been showing their support, their kindness, in all sorts of different ways.

Hope, not hate. Light, not dark. The past few days has shown the very worst that mankind can do. But it has also shown the kindness we are capable of sharing too.