Fife-born piper performs tribute at emotional vigil

A Fife-born piper gave his own Scots tribute to the slaughtered as huge crowds gathered outside Manchester’s town hall for a vigil.

Thousands took to Albert Square in memory of those who had been killed and injured in Monday night’s bombing.

Dean Cornes, who now lives in Bolton, played his bagpipes for those leaving the remembrance event last night.

The 24-year-old told The Courier: “I wanted to get down and show Manchester that we will stand up against terrorism.

“We will not be scared, we will carry on as normal.”

Senior politicians including Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were joined by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham on stage.

Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins spoke out against the “unthinkable act”.

“We must all stand together and not let the terrorists defeat us, not let them stop us going about our daily business and create fear, and we must all live in harmony with each other as we stand together and defeat terrorism,” he said.

Eddy Newman, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, said the vigil was a chance to “express solidarity” with the victims.

Poet Tony Walsh performed an ode to Manchester, called This is the Place.

He added: “In the face of a challenge, we always stand tall.”

Helen Coates has been going to the Manchester Arena since it opened and was due to see Take That there this weekend.

The 35-year-old said: “This is an opportunity for Manchester to show that we will not be divided and we will not be beaten by senseless violence.

“Right-wing groups will try and exploit this but it’s not going to wash.

“I think it’s just barbaric to target children.”

Pictures: Getty/PA. People gather at a vigil in Albert Square to honour the victims of Monday evening’s terror attack. Among those present was former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff, right.

Dean Cornes played his bagpipes for those leaving the vigil in Manchester’s Albert Square.