A vigl in memory of Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, was tonight held in Southport a week on from the tragedy
Hundreds of people tonight turned out in Southport to 'blow bubbles and kisses into heaven' for the three children who lost their lives in last week's stabbing tragedy.
Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were killed in a mass stabbing at The Hart Space in Southport. Eight children and two adults were also injured in the attack.
A 17-year-old, Axel Rudakubana, was charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder after the stabbings last week. Tonight, which comes after days of violence and disorder across Merseyside and the country, people turned out in their hundreds to remember the three little girls and pay their respects.
Tonight's vigil, which marked a week since the tragedy, was held outside The Atkinson in the town centre, where thousands have been coming to lay flowers, teddies and balloons in memory of the victims. Many were emotional, with some in tears, as peaceful music played and bright colours filled the area. At 6pm, everyone blew bubbles into the air as songs were sung, in a heartfelt moment of solidarity.
One woman, Paula, who was there paying tribute to the three girls, said: "I'm a southerner but have lived in Southport for three years and have an affinity to the area. I just can't believe what's happened really, I've got kids of my own. Another remarked: "It's so nice to hear children laughing again."
Below we have put together a gallery of pictures which shows Southport coming together in the wake of an utter tragedy as families and children, many who were wearing Taylor Swift t-shirts, remember the little girls who Merseyside will never forget.
Hundreds turned out outside The Atkinson in Southport town centre to remember the victims of the Southport mass stabbing
Instead of a balloon release bubbles were blown into the air in memory of the three schoolgirls who lost their lives
Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were remembered at tonight's vigil in Southport
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)3 of 14
Children and adults gathered around the tributes left in the town centre of Southport to pay their respects
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)4 of 14
Bubbles and kisses were blown into heaven for the three victims
Flowers, teddies and balloons in memory of the victims have been building in the days since the tragedy
A sea of pink ribbons for Elsie, Alice and Bebe
The air was filled with bubbles as people gathered in their grief
Hundreds turned out at the peaceful vigil in Southport
Little girls can be seen blowing bubbles at the vigil
Mum's can be seen pointing up in the air as the bubbles 'rose to heaven'
Little girls seen smiling and blowing bubbles at the heartfelt vigil
The bubble vigil comes a week after the tragic incident in Southport on Hart Street
A dad holds his daughter tight as they stare at the tributes to the three little girls