A GIFTED student and performer with a contagious smile, a passion for life and a big heart.

That was how Goostrey schoolgirl Nell Jones was remembered by those who were closest to her at the Manchester Arena Inquiry this morning, September 21.

The 14-year-old former Byley Primary School and Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School student was one of the 22 people to be killed in the attack on May 22, 2017.

Eldest brother Sam Jones read a pen portrait of his sister including tributes from her friends, family and teachers, before a montage photographs was shown and Our Love Will Grow by The Showmen was played at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

Sam said: "As a family, we miss her so much. She lit up our days with her energy and passion for life.

Knutsford Guardian:

"Every day was an adventure for Nell and we were all carried along with her.

"The thought of the years ahead without her in our lives is truly unbearable and I have no words to describe the pain and grief that we feel each day, but those 14 wonderful years that we all shared together and the memories we made were truly special.

"We love Nell with all of our hearts and we always will."

Nell was remembered as a talented English and Maths student, who had been placed on the gifted and talented register, as well as a dance and musical performer who 'lit up any stage'.

The inquiry heard how the keen shopper and cupcake baker 'hated any form of unkindness' and was 'the best friend anyone could ever wish for'.

Knutsford Guardian:

A statement written by friend Olivia said: "She had a wicked sense of humour and there were times where we would not have to say a word to each other – we would just look at each other and burst out laughing.

"No one else would understand, but we knew."

Nell, who grew up on a turkey farm, had joined Knutsford Young Farmers in 2017.

She had been dreaming of visiting Harry Potter World in Orlando and buying a mint green Fiat 500 for her first car.

In her statement, friend Alex said: "She should be here with us with her contagious smile.

Knutsford Guardian:

"I will try my best to live out Nell's plans for us as she never could."

Mum and dad Jayne and Ernie Jones attended the emotional pen portrait from the courtroom, alongside Nell's two other brothers, Joe and William.

In their statement, her parents' said: "From the moment she was born there was something special about Nell.

"A very happy and contented baby, she was growing up surrounded with love.

"At three weeks old she smiled her first proper smile – a smile that lit up a face that everyone was drawn to.

Knutsford Guardian:

"She loved her big brothers to bits and grew from their annoying little sister into one they dearly loved."

After thanking the family for their tributes to Nell, inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders said they had 'every reason to be proud of Nell'.

The pen portrait forms part of the evidence at the Manchester Arena Inquiry, which will investigate the deaths of the 22 victims from the attack.