Council leaders have expressed their horror following the suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena.

The terrorist attack occurred at the end of an Ariana Grande concert last night, killing 22 people and injuring dozens more.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: ‘This is an absolutely horrifying incident and our thoughts are with everyone affected, especially those who have lost loved ones or been injured and traumatised.

‘Manchester is a proud, strong city, and we will not allow terrorists who seek to sow fear and division to achieve their aims.'

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, added: ‘We are grieving today but we are strong.' 

Home secretary Amber Rudd said the Manchester explosion was a ‘barbaric' attack.

She said the intention of the attack was to ‘sow fear' but stressed that it would not succeed.