THE Bolton community came together to pay tribute to those killed in the Lahore terrorist bombings.

Faith leaders, politicians and members of the public observed a two minute silence in Victoria Square to remember the more than 70 people — many of whom were children — who lost their lives in the bomb blast which took place in a public park in the Eastern Pakistani city on Easter Sunday.

In another tribute to the tragedy, the council arranged for the Union Flag to be flown at half-mast and special readings were delivered by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Carole Swarbrick and Chris Edmondson, the Bishop of Bolton.

Cllr Swarbrick — who also laid flowers on the square and lit candles — said: “This was a terrible tragedy, affecting families who had gathered in a park to celebrate Easter and even more upsetting due to the large number of children killed.

“Many members of our community in Bolton have links to Lahore and some have lost friends and family members.

She added: “We felt it was important to pay our respects and offer prayers for the dead, the injured and their families & friends.”

Bradshaw Councillor Mudasir Dean has family members who live in Lahore and had visited the city in December.

He said: “It was obviously a scary time on Sunday as we tried to find out if everyone in the family was safe — we were very worried for a period of time.

“What happened in Lahore is totally heartbreaking as families and young children were killed as they were out celebrating Easter.

“With the Brussels attacks and other recent incidents it has been a terrible few months across the whole world.”

He added: “These attacks are just barbaric and in my opinion the people who carry them out are not part of the human race.”