Cruel tragedy

GONE . . . Lisa Lees (left) and Alison Howe

THOUSANDS of tributes have been paid to two Royton mums who died in the Manchester terror attack.

Alison Howe (44) and Lisa Lees (43) had gone to collect their daughters from the Manchester Arena but were in the foyer when the bomb went off.

Their families, who spent every minute searching for them in the hours which followed the blast, announced the news via social media overnight.

The friends had arrived at the Ariana Grande concert to pick up their teenage daughters, both of whom are believed to be safe.

Alison and Lisa were reported missing by concerned family members who appealed for help.

But last night Alison's step son Jordan Howe said via Facebook: "They took a caring beautiful mum and step mother away from us all she was amazing to us all x love you loads Alison Howe xx"

At around 11pm last night Lee Hunter also confirmed the death of his sister Lisa: "For those who don't know Lisa is gone but never ever forgotten I love you Lisa I'll miss you so much."

Thousands of residents who shared photos of the two women in a huge united effort to find them yesterday have sent tributes and messages of condolence to both families.

Lisa's daughter Lauren and Alison's eldest daughter Sasha Howe (18) are understood to have attended Blue Coat School together. Friends said Lisa, who previously set up her own aromatherapy firm Pure Essence, was due to become a grandma soon.

In 2012 she received an Excellence in Practice Award for her amazing work with children with life-limiting illnesses, severe breathing and mobility problems.

Family member Julie Herriott said: "Sasha I'm sorry. Love and hugs from your auntie Julie and your cousins David and Luke in Australia."

Twenty-two people, including children, were killed and 120 injured when bomber Salman Abedi (22) detonated an improvised explosive device at the concert on Monday night.

Ariana Grande superfan Georgina Bethany Callander, thought to be 18, was the first victim to be named.

The second innocent victim to be named was eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos, who attended the concert with her older sister and mum.

John Atkinson (26), from Radcliffe, and Tottington High School pupil Olivia Campbell (15) were also killed in the blast.

The Polish foreign minister confirmed Angelika and Marcin Klis were among the dead, in a statement released on Wednesday morning.

A total of 20 people remain in "critical care" across Manchester with people suffering from "horrific injuries" including major organ damage and potential loss of limbs.