OTLEY fell silent for a moment this week to remember those who died in the Manchester Arena attack.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 marked the first anniversary of an atrocity which killed 22 people and injured hundreds.

Terrorist Salman Ramadan Abedi had targeted an Ariana Grande concert that was attended by thousands, including many children, and detonated a suicide bomb just after the show.

Otley mother-of-two Wendy Fawell, 50, died from the blast while her friend Caroline Davis Osborne, also from Otley, suffered shrapnel wounds and a dislocated shoulder.

They had been in the foyer of the arena waiting to collect their children.

Caroline was among the survivors and relatives who attended a special memorial service at Manchester Cathedral on Tuesday.

Her sister, Karen Osborne, posted this message on the Otley - Our Town Facebook page: "Thinking of all my family today especially my sister Caroline Davis, sorry I can't be there with you but I'll be thinking of you all.

"And the 22 angels and the survivors and their families, just come home safe xxx."

The day before she had said: "Tomorrow is going to be an emotional day for Manchester as we remember the 22 that sadly lost their lives and those whose lives have changed forever since the Manchester attack.

"Twelve months have passed and the events of that night are still raw and everyone is still hurting.

"Tonight before you go to sleep say a little prayer for those deeply affected by that senseless attack and those left behind that are living in pain, over the loss of a loved one, who won’t be sleeping tonight."

Town Mayor Councillor Mary Vickers led a service at Otley Maypole on Tuesday afternoon, timed to tie in with a national one minute's silence.

She said, before leading a recital of the Lord's Prayer: "We are here this afternoon to remember those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the Manchester attack.

"Six people from Yorkshire lost their lives - Courtney Boyle, Kelly Brewster, Sorrell Leczkowski, Marcin Klis and Angelika, his wife, and our own Wendy Fawell.

"We pray for them and their families."

The Old Otliensians RUFC* flag, which has been flying for the past week in celebration of the club's successful season, was also lowered to fly at half-mast.

Ward Councillor Sandy Lay added: "It's important that in a community, large or small, we come together in periods of national importance to remember and celebrate those who are affected - and to commemorate those who are lost to these atrocities."

*The club posted this statement on their Facebook page: "Everybody associated with Old Otliensians RUFC wishes to pay our respects to all of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, especially to the Fawell family."