Swift to act Shelter and free taxis

As news of the attack spread, and stations were closed, locals began offering spare rooms on social media under the hashtag Room for Manchester. Rebecca Topham tweeted: “I have a sofa, floor, blankets and tea 5 minutes from the arena for anyone in need.”

Hundreds of others offered beds, phonecharging points, food and lifts home.

Elsewhere, cafés dispensed free drinks for the emergency services, while hotels invited youngsters inside as they waited for parents to arrive. Members of the public brought shopping bags of food to the Etihad Stadium, where the young were given shelter before being reunited with their family.

Taxi drivers turned off their meters and gave free rides to ferry people home.

Mayor Andy Burnham praised the efforts of the community, saying they demonstrated “the true spirit of our city in the face of such devastating tragedy”.