Move has 'helped' arena bombing victim parents grieve

The parents of Saffie-Rose Roussos, the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing have told the BBC that their move to Dorset is helping them grieve.

Saffie-Rose was just eight years old when she was killed - along with 21 others - when a bomb was detonated at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.

Her parents Andrew and Lisa Roussos have now written a book, sharing how they turned their grief into a story of hope.

They said they wanted Saffie-Rose to be remembered as "something much more than the youngest victim".

The couple, who have two other children, said the move to Dorset has enabled them to breathe again.

"We live our lives in Dorset with Saffie-Rose here, present. Her bedroom is in the house. Our granddaughter uses it, she is part of our everyday life," Andrew Roussos said.

Lisa Roussos said: "I love to be beside the sea, it just calms me and gives me peace, the quieter pace of life I like; It gives me a chance to think and reflect"

"The people have been lovely; we've met some good people in Dorset," the pair added.

Saffie-Rose was leaving the concert with her mum and sister when Salman Abedi detonated a homemade explosive on the evening of 22 May 2017.

Mrs Roussos spent six weeks in a coma and only learned of Saffie's death from her husband when she regained consciousness.

Hundreds more were also injured in the blast in the arena's foyer.

Lisa faced a fight for her life.

"We found out that there was a piece of shrapnel lodged in my heart sack" she said, adding: "It was 1mm away from my heart. Instant death."

"We are responsible for Saffie-Rose - we are her voice, her spirit. Everything we do now is for that little girl," Mr Roussos said.

The couple said they want the book to give people hope and describe it as a love letter to their daughter.

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