CONCERT goers have spoken of the moment cheers of joy turned to screams of terror after an explosion at Manchester Arena.

The blast caused by a suicide bomber left 22 people dead and 59 injured including a number children from East Lancashire.

Many school pupils, who had received tickets as Christmas or birthday presents, were just starting to filter out of the city centre venue when they heard a loud bang.

Jason Walker, 37, from Roe Lee, Blackburn, was at the concert with his 11-year-old daughter Madison.

He said: "I bought the tickets as a Christmas present. We booked a hotel and everything.

"The concert was full of kids. Everyone was up dancing and singing. Ariana Grande went off stage and came back on to do one last song then the lights came on and people started to leave.

"We were on the floor in front of the stage then we heard a large bang. Everything went quiet and then people started screaming and shouting.

"People were falling over the balconies and down the stairs. I could see people covered in blood.

"The seating is just so steep, people were just cascading down.

"There were thousands of people trying to get out and parents trying to get in to find their children. We just started running and didn't stop."

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He said there were pink balloons being let off but he knew straight away that it wasn't one of those.

"I heard someone shout 'oh my God'. I just grabbed Madison and said 'that's a bomb'. You could see it on people's faces.

"One of the best concerts we have been to just turned into a nightmare."

Mr Walker, who is unsure whether he will return to the arena for a Little Mix concert in November, described the security as 'appalling'.

He said: "We did not see many security guards there. The stewards showed us to our seats then we did not see them again until the end when they were running out.

"The sound of the girls screaming in panic - you just do not forget it."

Amelia Wilkins, 18, who teaches dance at School for Stage in Longridge, said: "The explosion was really loud and I knew something was wrong.

"There were a few seconds and then everybody started running. People were falling over each other.

"We got out of the arena and started walking. Security guards were running towards us.

"They turned us around and said 'you have got to get out'.

"There were lots of shoes all over the floor - high heels that people had taken off so they could run.

"I saw at least two little girls about 10-years-old lying in the streets covered in blood."

She said Victoria railway station was also closed with armed police officers outside.

"Every concert venue should have metal detectors walking through," she said.

"There were so many little girls there and they have to live with that now."

Lou Kemp, 35, from Burnley, said her 10-year-old daughter Jessica was at the concert with her dad Mark as part of a birthday present.

She said: "I was at work and got a call at about 10.40pm with her dad shouting they were safe. I could hear screaming.

"He was ringing because he thought if I saw it I'd be panicking.

"I then got a call - Jessica was sobbing and was extremely scared. She said she will never go to another concert again."

Mark Jackson, headteacher of Haslingden High School, confirmed three pupils were taken to hospital after the blast.

He said: "Two are out of hospital and one is still receiving treatment.

"There were about 32 children that we know of that were at the event. We have spoken to every parent to make sure they are okay.

"Just over half were absent yesterday. Some have seen some traumatic things. It has been a very difficult time for everyone involved."

He said it will be up to Year 11 students whether they feel able to sit GCSE exams and if they do not the school will speak to the exam board on their behalf.

Michael Wright, headteacher of St Augustine’s RC High School, said 14 of his pupils were at the concert.

He said: "We have had confirmation from families on the condition of the pupils with many being kept at home due to the trauma.

"One of our pupils was injured in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment. We are awaiting an update from the family. Our prayers and thoughts are with those affected."

Students from Blessed Trinity RC College in Burnley, Shuttleworth College in Padiham, Holy Cross Catholic High School in Chorley and St James CE Primary School in Clitheroe were also at the gig but returned safe and uninjured.