Westminster attack: vigil to be held in Manchester's Albert Square from 6pm

The victims of Wednesday's terror attack outside the Houses of Parliament in London will be remembered today at a vigil to be held outside Manchester's Town Hall.

In a show of solidarity with the people and London and the rest of the UK the town hall will be lit red, white and blue, whilst the flag will fly at half-mast in tribute.

Members of the public are invited to join the vigil tonight, led by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, from 6pm, and to sign a book of condolence which has been opened at town hall (an online version is available at www.manchester.gov.uk).

It has emerged that four students from Lancashire's Edge Hill university were amongst 40 people that were injured in the terrorist attack

Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester's thoughts are with everyone affected by the sickening attack at Westminster, and especially those whose loved ones were killed or injured.

"We also pay tribute to the bravery of the emergency services, including the police officer who lost his life defending others, and the civilians who helped those injured. This, not the actions of those who would sow hatred and terror, is the true spirit of Britain and Manchester stands in solidarity with London."

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts of Greater Manchester Police, said: “In light of the atrocities, we have been closely monitoring the situation to determine the appropriate response required here, in Greater Manchester.

“We are continuing to review our deployments and take all reasonable steps to keep people safe. I want be clear that there is no specific intelligence suggesting that an attack is imminent within Greater Manchester."

Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs on Thursday morning: “Yesterday an act of terrorism tried to silence our democracy. But today we meet as normal, as generations have done before us and as future generations will continue to do, to deliver a simple message: we are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism. And we meet here in the oldest of all parliaments because we know democracy and the values it entails will always prevail."