【Esther Studer】

A photo taken during a vigil in Manchester city centre has captured the spirit of city in the face of extreme challenges.

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The image showing a heavily armed policeman blowing a kiss to two ladies offering free hugs, has gone viral on social media.

Natalie Thornley took the photo of the officer -- who was one of the many being deployed in the aftermath of the bombing which killed 22 people.

"Probably won't capture a moment like this again," Thornley said in an accompanying Facebook post. "Managed to get a photograph of the moment a heavily armed policeman blew a kiss to 2 ladies offering out free hugs. Really shows the spirit people in Manchester maintained tonight and the love that has spread throughout the city. Stronger together, love not hate :)"

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The same love definitely featured in the comments:

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There is certainly something really compelling about the image. The tall, slender policeman, his theatrical gesture, the arch of his hands and the ladies' hands, the #WeStandTogether banner, the Manchester bee -- and the choice of black and white adds to the scene.

Earlier, this boy Daniel was also offering free hugs in Albert Square, in the heart of Manchester.

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Love, not hate.

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