Manchester Victoria reopens for first time since terror attack

Manchester Victoria has reopened to the public - more than a week after a terror attack killed 22 people.

The train station, which is connected to the Manchester Arena targeted by suicide bomber Salman Abedi, had suffered structural damage in the explosion.

Investigators had also been performing a forensic search of the area in recent days.

On Monday night, hundreds of people gathered in pouring rain for a vigil to mark exactly one week since the attack targeting a sold-out Ariana Grande concert.

Holding candles, children and adults fell silent as the church in St Ann's Square struck 10.31pm. They then erupted into a round of applause to remember those who lost their lives.

Many of those who attended kneeled to read the many thousands of messages laid beside a sea of flowers.

Families huddled together, and strangers supported each other with a hug.

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Image:Many knelt to read the thousands of messages left by mourners

Some of those who attended the vigil told Sky News why they felt they needed to be there.

One attendee said: "It's the first opportunity we've had as a family to come together. I think it's important to come and pay your respects.

"Manchester is where we are from and this is what Manchester is all about, coming together at times when we need to be and quite honestly there was nowhere else we were going to be tonight.

"The feeling of peace here is incredible. Despite the atrocity and the evil that's clearly gone on, the peace and love is just so evident and I just needed to take time to just pray for all the people that have been affected by it."

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Image:Police are trying to find a suitcase used by Salman Abedi hours before his attack

At a vigil held earlier in the day, Trafford Youth Trust director Dan Kupusarevic said Monday's attack has brought unity.

He added: "The aim of terrorism is to divide us, to make us feel scared and hurt.

"But on Monday evening and in the days since, the city of Manchester and the citizens of Trafford have shown that it has done one thing alone - and that is unite us."

As the evening vigil came to an end, an impromptu rendition of Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis broke out.

Lining the outside of the gathering, police - both armed and unarmed - watched on. About 1,000 officers are involved in this ongoing investigation.

Fourteen people are in police custody after being arrested in connection with the attack.