A school receptionist from Blackpool has been named as one of the 22 killed in the terror attack in Manchester.



51-year-old Jane Tweddle had gone to the Manchester Arena with a friend to pick up the friend's daughter.

She worked at South Shore Academy in Blackpool, where she lived.

The Islamic State terror group yesterday claimed responsibility for the attack, which is the deadliest terrorist incident to hit Britain since the July 7 attacks in London in 2005.

It happened shortly after 10.30pm on Monday (22.5.17), when a lone bomber detonated a homemade device packed with nuts and bolts in the foyer of Manchester Arena, where thousands of families had packed inside to watch a concert by US popstar Ariana Grande.

Writing on Facebook, Wayne Wareing wrote: “RIP, Mrs Tweddle. We had some laughs when I came in school for Richard. You always seemed to make me walk out laughing when I came in raging.

“You had a big heart and a loveable character. My thoughts are with everyone that lost someone in Manchester.”

And Jennie Dingle described her as a ‘lovely woman’, adding: “RIP, Jane.”

A statement from Jane Bailey, Principal of South Shore Academy

We are devastated at this sad news. Jane was a well-loved member of staff and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this terrible time.

Jane was a truly wonderful friend and colleague to all of us at South Shore Academy. As our receptionist, she was in many ways, the public face of the school and she represented us amazingly in this role. We have received numerous messages of condolences from parents, students, community members and colleagues across Blackpool for which we are very grateful. All of them say the same things about our lovely Jane…. bubbly, kind, welcoming, funny, generous….. the list goes on. Our thoughts are also with her family at this dreadful time and in particular her three daughters. In our school family and theirs …… she is irreplaceable, much loved and will never be forgotten.