Southport funeral held for 'truly unforgettable' little Elsie Dot Stancombe who died in stabbing tragedy: Live updates

The family of Elsie Dot Stancombe have bravely asked mourners to mark Elsie's Special Day as a way of celebrating her life with "positivity, hope and love". The seven-year-old's parents released a statement just hours before her funeral paying their tribute to the "truly unforgettable" girl.

Describing her as a "devoted Swiftie" who "brought light, love and joy to so many lives", they said: "Elsie embraced life and it is with positivity, hope and love that we celebrate her life today on 'Elsie's Special Day'. Elsie spent every day just simply enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness. Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room that she entered, she was truly unforgettable."

Elsie, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, suffered fatal injuries in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at a studio on Hart Street in Southport on July 29. The 17-year-old suspect, Axel Rudakubana from Cardiff, is accused of three counts of murder.

Her family said: "She loved to dance and it goes without saying she was a devoted 'Swiftie', she was always up for anything and gave every activity a go, we went to them all. She found her real passion in cheerleading, her weekly classes couldn't come around quick enough.

"Her persistence was admirable, from completing a 3k run and 10k charity walk for her local hospice, as well as moving up books bands in school, everything she did she gave 100% and would never give up."

A new photo, showing Elsie with younger sister Rosie, three, and parents David and Jenni, was released.