PEOPLE from across the whole of Gwent gathered at a vigil for victims of the Manchester terror attack in Newport last night.

The tribute to victims and show of solidarity with Manchester was held in the heart of Newport, in Westgate Square.

Local school children, councillors and religious groups took part in the event which was called #WeStandTogether.

Introductions were made by Mubarak Ali from the Islamic Society for Wales and Debbie Wilcox, leader of Newport city council.

Mr Ali, who was one of the organisers of the event, said: “It’s nice to see people of different religions and backgrounds come together and say these men of evil are not wanted in society."

Cllr Wilcox said: “I think it’s important to show our solidarity with the people and the city of Manchester.

"I wrote to the leader of Manchester council, Sir Richard Leese, and the mayor of Greater Manchester on Tuesday offering our condolences and the support from the residents of Newport. We stand together, it’s as simple as that.”

They were followed by members of Newport's Ysgol Gyfun Is Coed who read a Welsh language poem which had a message of hope.

Pupils from St Julian’s school, Newport sang 'The Prayer' while the senior vocal group from St Joseph’s RC school sang 'Mary Did You Know?' led by head of music, Simon Hendry.

He said: “We wanted to support this good cause and especially to support something so positive.”

Megan Postle from Newport gave a moving rendition of Ariana Grande’s One Last Time, the song which fans are campaigning to make number one in the charts following the terrorism attack.

Coleg Gwent student Tooba Naqvi, 18, who lives in Gaer, said a few words about how the attack in Manchester does not represent Islam.

Following the event she said it was good to see such a diverse group of people gather to remember the victims of the attack.

“As a young person we have to show our disgust attacks like these and show we won’t be divided,” she said.

“More than anything they will make out communities come together. It is heart breaking to think those young people went to enjoy a concert, and now they will never come home again.”

Imam Mukhtar Ahmad from the Victoria Road mosque and Right Reverend Ryan Cleminson from the Spirit of Hope community church closed the event before a minute's silence was observed.