LOOKING back to a week of tragedy on May 23 to 29, 2017, when the Manchester Arena bombing dominated the headlines.

Four music fans from the North-East were among those still missing on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, following the terror attack in Manchester two days previously.

Chloe Rutherford, 17, and 19-year-old boyfriend Liam Curry, from South Shields, and Courtney Boyle and her mum’s partner Philip Tron, from Gateshead were among those still missing two days after the attack.

The cousin of Liam Curry, who had been missing since Monday night’s attack, said his family are trying to remain positive.

Nineteen-year-old university student Liam, from Biddick Hall, in South Shields, and his girlfriend, Chloe Rutherford, 17, also from the town, had travelled to Manchester to watch American star Ariana Grande in concert.

Liam’s cousin Bernard Wills, 36, said the family were “in bits” worrying about the young couple.

Liam’s mother, Caroline, headed to Manchester with Chloe’s parents as they desperately searched for their loved ones.

Mr Wills said: “We just want them to be safe and to get in touch and let us know they’re okay.

“We’re trying to remain positive, we’re not thinking of the worst case scenario. They could have lost their phones in the crowd.”

“I am just watching the TV, hoping for news.”

Chloe’s brother Scott Rutherford had also tweeted to appeal for information about his little sister.

Courtney Boyle’s mum Deborah Hutchinson appealed on Facebook for information. She also travelled to Manchester.

She said: “Courtney Boyle and Philip Tron have not been found. I am in Manchester waiting for news!”

A grieving father urged teenagers tempted to take drugs to picture the face of his beloved daughter who died at a music festival, at her inquest on Friday, May 26, 2017.

Chris Bell, from Seaham, County Durham, also appealed to those considering taking drugs to think of the name of his popular 17-year-old daughter, Megan Bell, after an inquest concluded she suffered “a drug-related death”.

Toxicology tests revealed she had a high concentration of MDMA, or ecstasy, in her body.

A police investigation showed how text messages suggest she had arranged to buy tablets, known as Orange Penguins, with two friends before going to T in the Park, in Scotland, in July 2016.

Finally, a market town was brought to a standstill on Monday, May 22, 2017, as a community came together celebrated a young farmer’s life.

A sea of motocross riders gave one of their own a send-off to remember as Thomas Brown was carried to his funeral by his uncle’s tractor.

People lined the streets leading up to St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle, as the 27-year-old’s cortege made its way along Galgate followed by colourful riders, many of whom wore Mr Brown’s number 44 as a mark of respect.

A toy digger and wreaths were laid upon the specially adapted trailer carrying his body.

Mr Brown, of Marwood, near Barnard Castle, died doing a sport he loved when he crashed at the Hardwick Motocross track at Low Hardwick Farm, Sedgefield, on April 30, 2017.

Mr Brown, who worked for Thor Atkinson and helped on his family’s farm, had been involved in motocross since the age of eight.

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