PRAYERS and a minute's silence have been held at the Golden Gates to pay respects to the victims of the Manchester bombing.

The Rev Paul Wilson, rector of Warrington, led a gathering of the borough's faith and political leaders at the Golden Gates outside the Town Hall at 2.45pm.

He said: "Let us uphold and strengthen the unity of our society and work to ensure it is a positive and harmonious one where all children and young people can grow up safely without fear.

"We know that each time a terror attack occurs a group within society becomes the target of abuse, or even an attack, because of terrorist actions which claim, or are perceived by some, of having a link to them.

"We must stand likewise against this.

"An attack on one is an attack on all."

Hafiz Saleem, head imam of Warrington Islamic Association, added: "Let us stand together to oppose terrorism and the ideologies that promote it."

A minute's silence was held in memory of all those affected by the bombing at Manchester Arena on Monday night.

Mayor Cllr Les Morgan laid the first wreath at the Golden Gates.

He praised the town for uniting in the face of adversity.

"This is what Warrington does," he said.

Residents have been invited to leave their flowers to pay their respects.