'He was the centre of our world'... Manchester Arena bombing victim John Atkinson remembered at public inquiry

cancelled its official lights switch-on, and many of the region's theatres have had to postpone their pantos.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has apologised for taking two hours to respond to the Manchester Arena terror attack.At the public inquiry into the attack on Wednesday, the service blamed 'silence' from the police on the night of the bombing which led fire service bosses to assume there was a continuing marauding terror strike and so firefighters were kept back.But they pointed to an infamous terror training exercise at the Trafford Centre some 12 months before the Arena attack where

Manchester Arena attack - who was only evacuated from the scene more than 40 minutes after the bombing - told a paramedic: "I'm going to die, aren't I?", a public inquiry has heard. John Atkinson, 28, was not taken from the blast site for 46 minutes, before being carried on a cardboard advertising hoarding to a casualty clearing station.

The Manchester Evening News has compiled above just a snap-shot of the video tributes shown to the inquiry, and the statements read out. It was said the inquiry's chairman, Sir John Saunders, a 'deeply-affecting and emotionally-draining experience'.As ever, the little things that matter so much stood out.Georgina Callander, 18, had just passed her driving test and saved up to buy her first car, which she loved and called 'Peggy'.

here"Every decision we take we ask what Alison would do, what would mum do? It is never going to get any easier."I cannot believe there is anybody I have ever met that was as caring and well-liked. "She really was fantastic inside and out.

herePen portraits from the families and friends of the deceased, and moving personal evidence about them, are continuing to be heard and shown to the inquiry.Harriet, Lily and Isabelle added in the statement: "Our house was always full of love and laughter."You would pull the oldest tricks in the book to get us laughing."You never failed to make us smile."They spoke of Jane's 'random, spontaneous ideas'.She loved to cook, they said, and referenced her homemade Yorkshire puddings and salt and

hereMum Charlotte said Olivia loved 'rough and tumble' with the boys as a youngster.She recalled holidays and how on one trip, Olivia entered a dance competition.It fuelled her passion for music, the inquiry heard."She always said she hated being the centre of attention, but I could see how much she enjoyed herself - that insight into limelight," Charlotte said.Olivia joined a choir and was loving school, she added."Ollie's favourite colour was blue so she decided that everything had to be

hereShe worked in a wool factory in Guiseley, then a butcher's shop then at a play group."She loved her job, she loved children and she was fun to be around," her family said in the statement, which was read out on their behalf.It was compiled by her son Adam and daughter Charlotte."Children warmed to her and enjoyed spending time with her," they said in the statement."Her death left all the children she cared for bewildered."Wendy has always been a fun person, the life and soul of the

here"The thought of the years ahead without her in our lives is truly unbearable and I have no words to describe the pain and grief that we feel each day."But those 14 wonderful years that we all shared together, and the memories we made, were truly special."Nell was a pupil at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School.Tribute statements from her teachers - and friends - were read out.One of Nell's drama teachers said: "She stood out as a star right from the start."And a friend told the inquiry: "She

public inquiry into the terror attack on May 22, 2017, entered its eighth day on Monday - the start of the second week of commemorative hearings.

at the public inquiry into the atrocity of his eternal love for Michelle, and her friends told of a 'role model mum that everyone looked up to'.

huge gatherings taking place at student accommodation, despite these measures - and some of the city's most familiar faces want to help put a stop to it.

here"Everyday was an adventure for Nell and we were all carried along with her."The thought of the years ahead without her in our lives is truly unbearable and I have no words to describe the pain and grief that we feel each day."But those 14 wonderful years that we all shared together, and the memories we made, were truly special."Nell, who had three older brothers, was 14 and from Goostrey in Cheshire.She was a pupil at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School.Sam said no girls had been born on

herePhilip Tron's family, meanwhile, paid tribute to their 'bonny lad' and said: "Heaven has a new Geordie ambassador."The much-loved Newcastle United fan worked for a water conservation company and a video tribute delivered by his uncle, Ken Mullen, was peppered with jokes and cherished anecdotes from Philip's childhood and life."He had some dislikes," Ken said with a wry smile on the video after speaking passionately of a 'family-loving guy with a huge personality'."He disliked having to pay

hereKen said: "Philip was a family-loving guy with a huge personality."He was hugely likable.

hereSuicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a rucksack bomb in the City Room area of the Arena after an Ariana Grande concert.

fellow Spanish teammates David De Gea and Ander Herrera.

hereShe was kind and loving and made every she spoke to 'feel special'm they said.Friends, teachers and her head Halewood Academy paid tribute.Principal Gary Evans said his main memory of Megan was her smile.She and her friends 'were a lovely group of students'."Whenever I saw Megan around the school she would say 'hi' and you would see that smile," he said.He said he had no doubt she would go on to success in the future.The 'atrocity really affected me', Mr Evans said, adding that her friends