AMONGST the horror there many tales of the community pulling together with taxi drivers offering stranded music lovers lifts home, people queuing to donate blood and others offering up their spare rooms for people unable to get home.

Taxi drivers from across the north switched off their meters and headed to the arena to act as emergency vehicles.

David Lawrie, chair of Rossendale Taxi Association, said taxi drivers had suspended a planned protest and headed to the arena.

He said: "As soon as the incident occurred within seconds the protest was called off.

"Drivers from across the associations including in Lancashire and Yorkshire came over to help people get to safety.

"They all came together and it was reassuring to see. They switched off their apps and meters and were giving lifts to anybody that needed it. We were offering it as an emergency service rather than a taxi service.

"There were more than a 100 journeys taken.

"It goes without saying that our thoughts and prayers are with those that have been affected."

Faraz Ali, owner of Brownhill Taxis in Blackburn, also sent cars over to pick people up including Blackburn resident Jason Walker, from Roe Lee, who fled the scene with his daughter.

He said: "We wanted to help when we heard there were people stuck.

"I had friends and family there myself so we just wanted to do what we could."

Benj Ashmead, who owns tattoo parlour Eagles Wing in Blackburn, said tattoo artists from across the country are planning to donate £50 and have the Manchester worker bee tattooed on their body.

He said: "We wanted to show solidarity. I have already got 10 people signed up to do it. We are asking for a £50 donation which will go towards a fund for the families affected.

"It is about clubbing together and showing this sort of thing will not be tolerated."