Tower to light up in support of Orlando after massacre

Just a day after Blackpool's Pride event ended following two days of celebration, the Tower will tonight light up in rainbow colours to remember those killed in Orlando, Florida.
A man holds a candle and a rainbow flag during a vigil in memory of the victims of the Orlando mass shooting, in Miami Beach (AP)A man holds a candle and a rainbow flag during a vigil in memory of the victims of the Orlando mass shooting, in Miami Beach (AP)
A man holds a candle and a rainbow flag during a vigil in memory of the victims of the Orlando mass shooting, in Miami Beach (AP)

A rainbow-coloured flag – synonymous with the LGBT community – is also being flown at half-mast from the town hall in Talbot Square, and from the top of the Tower.

Blackpool Council said the move was to ‘support’ those affected by the massacre, which saw 50 revellers gunned down as they enjoyed a night out at Pulse, a well-known gay venue, at around 2am yesterday.

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Omar Mateen, 29, pledged allegiance to Islamic State before he opened fire on the crowds with an assault rifle and handgun, according to reports.

The event is the deadliest mass shooting in US history.

Last year, the Tower was lit up in the colours of the French flag, following ISIS attacks in Paris.