A Former police officer’s handbag saved her life at the Manchester Arena terror attack.
Andrea Bradbury, 55, was yards from Salman Abedi when he exploded his suicide device in 2017.
The retired counter-terrorism inspector was blown off her feet, peppered with shrapnel and knocked unconscious.
But her bag had absorbed some of the deadly debris.
Andrea, at the launch of a campaign for increased security at public venues, said: “The bomber was directly behind me.
"I had more than 12 wounds to my lower body and two in my upper back.
“One missile struck my handbag, missing the centre of my back. I believe it saved my life. If it had not been so strong, I’d not be here.
"My friend and I still can’t believe we survived being so close to the bomber.”
Andrea, who in 2012 received an MBE for police services, is backing a bid to bring in Martyn’s Law.
This is named after Martyn Hett, 29, one of 22 victims who died after the Ariana Grande concert, and would force all venues and public spaces to have security plans.
She added: “Not every terrorist attack can be prevented but the public do expect basic procedures are in place to keep us all safer.”
Andrea was at the Arena with a friend to collect their teenage daughters, who were both unhurt.
