The victims of the Manchester Arena will be remembered with a drone

The father of a schoolgirl killed in the Manchester Arena attack has planned an event to remember the “vibrant personalities” of the 22 victims.

Andrew Roussos’ eight-year-old daughter Saffie died in a suicide attack at an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017.

More than 100 drones will light up the sky above Manchester’s Glade of Light memorial on Wednesday.

The display is due to start at 22:19 BST and will end at 22:31 – the time the bomb was detonated.

Mr Roussos, from Southport, is keeping details of the show under wraps but said it would be a fitting tribute to those who died.

He told the BBC he was “fearful” of the passage of time which had made commemorating the anniversary of the attack “the norm”.

“It’s in danger of becoming just another church service and another minute of silence, which is important, but if you’re not careful you end up remembering only the attack,” he said.

“They were at a music concert, they were all lively people, a light show suits their personalities more.

“It would be wonderful to remember them in a positive light rather than what happened to them.”

Roussos said he worked with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and night economic adviser Sacha Lord to plan the event.

He said the show will also be an opportunity for families to give back to the city that has shown them so much support.

“I know Manchester will never forget and … the families will be forever grateful for the city’s support and love,” he said.

“Our pain is with us every day, it does not leave us. But on May 22 we are taken back to that moment.

“If Manchester never reacted like this, we might not feel like this. He really supported us in every way shape and form.

“In this way remembering (the 22), we get to give back to the city and feel like (they) are back among us.”