A BLACKBURN schoolgirl who wrote a speech about the Manchester Arena bombing after comforting a friend caught up in the tragedy has won a top prize.

Sara Hussain was given the Mohammed Khan Leadership Award for her address 'If I Could Change the World' at the One Voice Annual Dinner at King George's Hall on Saturday.

Miss Hussain's speech talked about her wish to invent a time machine so she could persuade Salman Abedi not to carry out the mass murders as fans left the Ariana Grande concert nearly three years ago.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council after whom the award was named, said: “Sara touched so many people with her passionate speech that spread a message of hope and love. She is a credit to her family and to her teachers, and I’m sure they’re very proud of her – as we are.

“She’s a remarkable young lady and thoroughly deserves this award."

It was one of a selection of 1V Community Champion Awards handed out at the event.