CUB Scouts in Tyldesley affected by last month's Manchester Arena terror attack that killed 22 people have been sent letters of support from a group in Ireland.

The 5th Tyldesley Scout Group attended a vigil at Market Square two days after the suicide bombing, releasing pink balloons into the sky and observing a minute’s silence in tribute to the victims.

The victims included 45-year-old Alison Howe, a cousin of the Tyldesley group's assistant leader John Worrall.

She was killed as she waited in the foyer to collect her 15-year-old daughter from the Ariana Grande concert.

The 17th Meath Longwood Scout Group in Ireland read about the Tyldesley group on Facebook in the aftermath of the atrocity and decided to put pen to paper.

David Simpson, 28, leader of the Shuttle Street-based Tyldesley group, said: “It was such a thoughtful thing for the cubs and leaders in Ireland to do, a really nice, innocent gesture.

“We are very shocked but grateful that they were thinking about us and had chosen us as the group to write to about the terror attack.

“It is obviously terrible what happened that night but the letters we received have provided comfort to us.”

Marian Duignan, leader of the group in Ireland, said: “All our cubs were very scared about the news and wanted to talk about it to find out more information.

“I thought it would be a nice gesture to send words of comfort and support to our fellow Scouts in Manchester.

“When I told the cubs about the idea they were excited and happy and asked if they could be friends with them.

“What they wrote was emotional and caring, and seeing the innocence in what some wrote brought a tear to my eye.”

The Tyldesley Scouts have written letters back and the groups are now set to meet up next year for a joint cub camp event in Ireland.