THE mother of a teenager injured in the Manchester terror attack has had the city's worker bee symbol inked onto her skin in a show of solidarity.

 

Millie Robson, 15, of Newton Aycliffe, spent almost two weeks in hospital after suffering shrapnel wounds from the bomb blast at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena.

 

Determined to show unity with the city and the victims of the suicide attack on May 22, her mother Marie Robson and her partner braved getting the tattoos this week.

 

The pair are two of more than 20 to be inked with the insect emblem at Bishop Auckland's Inkheart Tattoo Studio where all funds are going to the victims appeal. Mrs Robson said: "I wanted the bee tattoo as a mark of respect for not only Millie but to also honour the 22 people who sadly didn't survive the attack.

 

"I have 22 dots around the bee to form a heart. I feel so thankful that I got to bring my daughter home eventually from the attack when others did not make it home. My partner Anth felt the same and his bee has number 22 on it."

 

She added her thanks to tattooist and owner Caroline Robson who opened up for the couple and shared in the "emotional experience". Since the beginning of June the artist has been inking customers at a suggested minimum donation of £30 and thanks to the generosity of clients has raised £880.

 

Caroline saw that a tattoo studio in Manchester was offering worker bee tattoos in aid of the online victim appeal in the wake of the attack which killed 22 people and decided to do something herself.

 

In total 22 people aged between 18 and 64 have had the tattoo including Marie, her partner, a man from Manchester and two nurses, one who worked in the blast aftermath, from the Manchester area who were unable to book an appointment in the city.

 

The offer is available until the end of June when Caroline hopes to have collected more than £1,000.

 

The 34-year-old has also vowed to have the tattoo herself in tribute to the attack - joining the likes of actress Kim Marsh.

 

"I've got two girls myself and being a mother when something like that happens close to home, it's nice to do something to give something back," she said. "The bee symbolizes strength and unity and a feeling of coming together.

 

"Everything I've made is going to the Just Giving fund. Quite a lot of people have chosen to get it as their first tattoo.

 

"It's overwhelming to think that people are getting it done."

 

Woodham Academy pupil Millie, who was at the concert with best friend Laura Anderson, 15, was back in hospital on Tuesday for a second operation.

 

Despite undergoing surgery at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in the aftermath of the attack, more shrapnel was discovered in her leg this week.

 

The youngster, who attended the One Love Manchester concert last week with Laura, was in James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, to have the metal removed and is now recovering at home.

 

Find the tattoo shop online at www.facebook.com/Inkheartcustomtattoo