Community leaders in south Bucks have called for the public to stand shoulder to shoulder following the “barbaric” terrorist attack in Manchester on Monday which killed 22 people.

Chauhdry Shafique and rev Hugh Ellis- who run the Council for Christian Muslim Relations (CCMR) in High Wycombe – condemned the Manchester arena bombings and paid tribute to the victims.

Children are amongst those who lost their lives after a bomb was detonated in the foyer of the arena, shortly after American singer Ariana Grande left the stage at 10.30pm.

A joint statement written by the leaders said: “We condemn this barbaric act of wanton murder which has taken so many innocent young lives and caused injury to many more. As ever we stand united against such evil behaviour and the ideologies that lie behind it.

"As Christians and Muslims of the CCMR in High Wycombe we declare that we believe that it is always wrong to use violence in the name of religion/God/Allah.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives have been cruelly cut short by this horrific incident and share this unbearable grief with their families and friends from the bottom of our hearts.

"It is being reported in the news that the local people of Manchester responded with characteristic love, dignity and courage- helping and looking after complete strangers and taxi drivers ferrying people home free of charge. 

"We salute them for their humanity with pride. And we stand together with the people of Manchester and this country at this time of great tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to remain united and to continue to resist this cancer of terrorism wherever it comes from until it is totally rooted out."

Public figures and emergency services across the county have paid tribute on social media to those affected by the attacks, while Wycombe District Council and Bucks County Council will flew their flags at half-mast the day following the attacks as a sign of respect.

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press, mayor of High Wycombe, councillor Brian Pearce, said he has been left "devastated" by the horrific attacks.

"I am devastated by this and I send my sympathy to the bereaved and injured, and we hope they make a full recovery.

"If you go through a traumatic incident like this you will be emotionally damaged and hey hope they will recover from this experience.

"You think who the hell can do a thing like that? It is pre-meditated in cold blood. It makes you think what kind of world do we live in?"

Former Hazlemere resident James Corden also paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the attacks during an episode of US programme The Late Show this week.

He said: "When I think of Manchester, of the place that I know, I think of the spirit of the people there and I'm telling you, a more tight-knit group of people, you will be hard-pressed to find."