IT’S amazing to think that a young woman who most people over 25 had never even heard of a few months ago is now to be made an honorary citizen of Manchester.

Ariana Grande was the already extraordinarily popular 24 year-old American singer who sold millions of records across the world and became an icon to young girls in particular.

On May 22, when a bomb killed 23 adults and children and injured many more at the Manchester Arena after one of her concerts, Ariana Grande’s name became synonymous with an atrocity.

No-one would have blamed her if she’d never returned to Manchester again. Instead, she organised a remarkable concert which not only helped raise millions of pounds for the We Love Manchester emergency fund but also helped comfort many affected by the tragedy, showing that people really do care.

Now, Manchester councillors are giving her the city’s leading honour and that seems entirely right. She’s plainly a very special person whose example offers an important lesson to young and old.