UNDER bright blue skies, Manchester was awash with heartache as the full horror of the arena atrocity hit home.

A river of tears replaced the traffic on roads around the 21,000 capacity venue, where 22 died and 120 were injured.

The sombre mood in the city was palpable as people passed police cordons and armed officers around the arena on their way to work.

Shock and sympathy were all around in equal measure as subdued commuters walked into the city past the scene of the unspeakable terror.

Mums and dads held their sons and daughters close on the school run as the full horror of what happened unfolded.

Mercedes Sanchez, a 23-year-old woman, who was close to the scene of the explosion described her fear as she heard the blast from her flat, which faces the nearby Victoria Station.

She said: "I ran to the window and could see people screaming and running from Victoria Station after we just heard a huge bang.

“I didn't know what has happened, but I started to panic and run to get my sister and my friend from the same block as me.

“We went outside and there were families and parents waiting for their children screaming. It was absolute chaos.

“The sound of sirens hasn’t stopped and I didn’t sleep all night.

“I can’t believe that Manchester has been targeted let alone a venue full of young children and teenagers.”

Commuters were advised to avoid driving into the city as roads were left gridlocked during the morning rush hour.

The atmosphere was surreal as droves of motorists were forced to park up to three miles outside of the centre and walk into Manchester.

Francesca Jones, aged 32, from Middleton, said: “I didn’t want to come into work today.

“There’s a real sense of unease but we can’t let these senseless criminals control us.

“I’m so proud to be from Manchester after seeing the response from people and our amazing emergency services.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends who have lost loved ones.”

Among the horrific accounts, the kindness and togetherness of the community prevailed as taxi drivers offered free lifts, people opened their homes and thousands queued to donate blood.

Floral tributes were left outside St Ann's Church in the city centre and a vigil was held in Manchester’s Albert Square on Tuesday.

People remained unbowed as Manchester refused to give in to terrorism.