Bells ring out across Manchester marking the moment 22 were killed in attack one year ago

People look at flowers and tributes left in St Ann's Square in Manchester following the Manchester Arena terror attack (PA) Credit: PA

Bells have rung out across Manchester marking the moment 22 people were killed last year in the terror attack at the Manchester Arena.

In a day of tributes to the victims of the atrocity, a memorial service took place, followed by a concert.

At the service, the Dean of the city telling the congregation that "the only way forward... is love".

Hundreds of tributes, flowers and messages of support were left in the city to mark the first anniversary of the attack carried out by Salman Abedi.

Opening the service at Manchester Cathedral, the Dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender told the congregation: "In this service we come together as people of different faiths and none, as we remember with love before God those whose lives were lost, and those whose lives have been changed forever and have to live with the terrible memories of that day 12 months ago.

"There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge between them is love: The only survival, the only meaning."

During the service, 22 candles were lit - one for each of the victims - and a minute's silence was observed.

Those invited to the service include survivors of the arena attack, along with their families and friends, and first-responders and others who helped in the immediate aftermath.

The leaders of all the main political parties attended the service, along with Prince William who read a Bible passage from the Book of Corinthians.

Following the multi-faith service, Prince William and Theresa May met with some of the bereaved families and left messages on one of the 28 Trees of Hope which were unveiled on Tuesday morning, dotted around the city centre.

The Duke's message read: "To all those affected you will never be forgotten.

"And to the people of Manchester my admiration for your display of strength, decency and community in the face of this unparalleled tragedy. Willy."

While the Prime Minister wrote: "Today we hold in our hearts the memory of those who were lost on the 22nd May 2017, their families, friends and those whose lives were irrevocably changed.

"May the kindness and fortitude we witnessed that night triumph and the great spirit of Manchester never be vanquished."

Members of the public watched the proceedings on a big screen in nearby Cathedral Gardens, while the service was also screened at York Minster, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Glasgow Cathedral.

Martin Hibbertt who was injured in the attack reads messages on one of the Trees of Hope. Credit: PA

The leaders of Labour, the Lib Dems and the SNP also attended the memorial service and left messages on the same tree.

Other notes on the trees read: "Manchester we stand together. Forever in our hearts", and "RIP to all you beautiful angels who have all gained their wings in such a horrific vile way. Manchester will not cower away to you monsters. Spread love. Stacie xx".

A host of floral tributes were also laid at the memorial site at Manchester Victoria with bouquets from football clubs Oldham Athletic and Rochdale AFC, while passengers were invited to write their thoughts and memories on Stronger Together posters at the station.

Tributes have been left to mark the anniversary of the attack. Credit: PA

Ariana Grande, who had been performing at the Manchester Arena when the atrocity happened on May 22 last year, tweeted a message of support for those affected.

"Thinking of you all today and every day," she said. "I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day."

To mark the anniversary, a number of events were held across the city.

More than 3,000 singers from local choirs performed at the "Manchester Together – With One Voice" event in the city’s Albert Square.

Among those performing were the Manchester Survivors Choir, a group made up people who were at the Arena on the night, and Parrs Wood High School’s Harmony Group, whose post-attack tribute went viral last year.

A mass 30-minute communal singalong finale with songs including Ariana Grande’s One Last Time, One Day Like This by Elbow, Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis and Never Forget by Take That took place.

More than 800 people were physically or psychologically injured in the attack. Credit: PA

At 10.31pm, bells rang out from the city’s Town Hall, St Ann’s Church and St Mary’s RC Church to mark the moment when the attack took place 12 months ago.

Marking the anniversary of the attack, the family of Kelly Brewster who said she died shielding her sister and 11-year-old niece in the blast, paid tribute to the 32-year-old saying she was "such a beautiful person inside and out and she will forever be in our hearts and thoughts".

They continued that Ms Brewster was "the happiest she had ever been" when she was "cruelly taken", and that she "remained in our thoughts every single day".

Kelly Brewster's family have paid tribute to her on the anniversary of the attack. Credit: Family handout

Writing in the Manchester Evening News and on Facebook, Theresa May said: “The targeting of the young and innocent as they enjoyed a carefree night out in the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017 was an act of sickening cowardice.

“It was designed to strike at the heart of our values and our way of life in one of our most vibrant cities, with the aim of breaking our resolve and dividing us. It failed.

“For such appalling acts of wickedness will do nothing but strengthen our resolve to defeat such twisted ideologies and beliefs.

“The resilience and determination shown by this city in the 12 months since is testament to that.”