A HARTLEPOOL mother-of-three has been named as one of 22 killed in Monday night's terror attack in Manchester.

Jane Tweddle, partner of former Hartlepool United player, Mark Taylor, has been described as "a truly wonderful friend and colleague", according to a statement from the principal of the school in Blackpool where she worked and lived.

Ms Tweddle, 51, a former pupil at Dyke House School, in Hartlepool, was at the arena with a friend and was waiting for her friend's daughter when the blast happened.

Mark Taylor began his career with his hometown club, Hartlepool United, between 1984 and 1986 and was appointed in the role of Performance Director at Sunderland AFC in 2015.

Mr Taylor told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Jane was obviously a lovely lady and a very good mother to three daughters, liked by everybody, especially in the community in Blackpool where she worked.

"All the school children and work colleagues are reaching out pass on their condolences, and obviously all of her family.

"She was full of life, very energetic with the children, and going to functions and all sorts of different things - skiing and all those happy times and activities.

"She had gone back to pick them up as arranged and they were both waiting in the area where the explosion happened.

"Unfortunately, Jane didn't come back.

"I was in London away on business and one of my daughters rang me at the hotel and said that mum had gone missing and there was an explosion.

"I turned the news on to find out what had happened, and at that point she was notified as missing.

"We were hoping she was in a hotel or a hospital with an injury."

Jane Bailey, principal of South Shore Academy in Blackpool, said: "We are devastated at this sad news. Jane was a well-loved member of staff and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this terrible time.

"Jane was a truly wonderful friend and colleague to all of us at South Shore Academy.

"As our receptionist, she was, in many ways, the public face of the school and she represented us amazingly in this role.

"We have received numerous messages of condolences from parents, students, community members and colleagues across Blackpool for which we are very grateful. All of them say the same things about our lovely Jane... bubbly, kind, welcoming, funny, generous... the list goes on.

"Our thoughts are also with her family at this dreadful time and in particular her three daughters. In our school family and theirs... she is irreplaceable, much loved and will never be forgotten."

Gordon Marsden, the Labour candidate for Blackpool South, wrote of the death of three local victims, including Ms Tweddle.

He wrote: "It brings home the wicked and senseless waste of human life. My thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues."