LOVED ones of Courtney Boyle and Philip Tron have paid tribute to them after it was confirmed they died during the devastating attack at Manchester Arena.

Courtney, 19, and Mr Tron, her mum's partner, who was 32, both from Gateshead, were at the Ariana Grande concert when a suicide bomber struck on Monday night.

Her mum, Deborah Hutchinson, from Low Fell, in Gateshead, said: "My stunning amazing beautiful daughter. You were my rock, you made me so proud with all you had achieved and my gorgeous crazy Philip, you made my world a happy place and now you are both my angels flying high in the sky."

Courtney's dad, Robert Boyle, added: "I am going to miss my baby girl Courtney Boyle for the rest of my life.

"I will never forget you and I will love you forever. Grandad Bob misses you loads also."

Miss Boyle’s boyfriend, Callum Maundrill, paid his own tribute, to his ‘adventurer, a precious and joyous soul’.

He said: “She made people feel loved and feel safe. She was a soulmate, a friend, a daughter and a sister.

“No one had what that lass had, she was like no other. And she was on a path to fulfilment, and was happy when she passed.

“Nobody has ever made me as happy as her and I’m the person I am today because of her.”

Miss Boyle was a former pupil of Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street.

Her former headteacher, Mark Lovatt, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death in Manchester of one of our former students, Courtney Boyle.

“Courtney was a much-loved student and friend of Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy. 

“She was an ex-student of Talbot House and really was the epitome of a perfect student.

“Courtney kept in touch with teachers and staff, showing the kind, caring and loving person that she was.

“She really grasped life with both hands and she will be dearly missed and remembered by all who knew her. 

“As a school, we are in touch with her family and will provide support wherever possible.”

Miss Boyle, who worked part time at Greggs, left the school in 2014 and went to college, before going on to Leeds Beckett University to study criminology and psychology. 

Professor Peter Slee, vice-chancellor at Leeds Beckett University, said: “The whole university community is deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our hearts go out to Courtney’s family at this terribly distressing time.

“Courtney was a lovely, bright and hardworking student who had achieved excellent marks in her first semester with us.

“She was enjoying university life and had built strong friendships.

“For all of these reasons, she is a great loss to the university and to her fellow students.

“You will appreciate the impact that this has had on our students and staff. Our chaplaincy and wider support services have been in contact with Courtney’s many friends at the university, and we will continue to support them and any other of our students and staff who have been affected.”

A statement from Philip's mum read: "Firstly, we would like to thank the emergency services, police, nurses, support staff, family and friends and the people of Manchester for their continued help and support which they have given us throughout this harrowing time.

"Our most amazing son, partner, brother, father, uncle, nephew and cousin, Philip Tron, sadly passed away on the May 22, 2017.

“Philip was such a fun loving, energetic soul, he would light up the darkest room and lift your spirits with his infectious laugh, witty sense of humour and his beautiful smile.

"Words cannot express the huge void his passing has left in all our lives."