SEVERAL thousand people from Manchester and beyond gathered in the city's Albert Square last night to remember the victims of the devastating terrorist attack.
Small memorials with flowers, prayers and messages of support are dotted around the city which was said last night to be in "defiant mourning".
A minute's silence was held for those who died when a suicide bomber attacked a concert by American pop star Ariana Grande.
Members of the Muslim community, including Syrian refugees who have recently made the city their home, spoke of their hope that the attack would not cause division.
As the peace vigil took place, the area around the Manchester Arena remained cordoned off as police continued their painstaking forensic search of the scene.
Fran Tenku, who works close to the arena, said he had spoken to families as they arrived for the concert on Monday evening.
"Some had travelled three or four hours, they were so happy and smiling," he said.
"I showed them where to park and the cars are still there, it's so sad."
Amanda Lawler attended the vigil at Albert Square with her husband and two daughters.
One of their friends had been at the concert and escaped unharmed, but was still too traumatised to speak about her experience.
She said it was important to come out and show support.
"This is a great city with an amazing spirit, and people are so friendly, this won't break us.
"We've a big Irish community and people of all faiths and none.
"I got my daughter tickets to see Adele later this year and I said this morning that we weren't going, but you know now I've seen the crowds here today we will be going because if we stop living our lives, who wins?
"We're bigger than that, we're better than that."
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had called the vigil and praised the emergency services who attended the scene and were still working across the city treating the injured and trying to restore normality.
Poet Tony Walsh also moved members of the crowd to tears with an ode to his native city.
In reference to the "Mancunian way to survive" and "northern grit", he said: "In the face of a challenge we always stand tall."
Several young girls wearing t-shirts bearing the image of Ariana Grande laid flowers at the front of the city's Albert Hall.
Members the the city's large Sikh community also held a parade through the city calling for peace among all religions, handing out water and refreshments to the crowd.
As the crowds dispersed some musicians arrived and played Bob Marley's One Love outside the city's historic Albert Hall.
Terry Ferran, who was born in Newry but has lived all his life in Salford, said he hoped the attack wouldn't cause a backlash against the Muslim community in the way the IRA bombings of the mid-1990s did against the Irish.
"Hate only breeds violence - we need to stand together not fall apart because of a few radicals," he said.
