Family ask for bright colours ‘extraordinary’ girl’s funeral

The family of an “extraordinary” seven-year-old girl who was killed in the Southport stabbing attacks have urged mourners at her funeral later to wear bright colours.

Elsie Dot Stancombe died alongside Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, after an attacker walked into a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on 29 July.

Elsie’s family encouraged the local community to give her “the best possible celebration” on her “special day”.

F.J Gibb Funeral Directors said the service would take place at St John’s Church, Birkdale, from 10:00 BST.

Reverend Jennie Hardy, who will preside over the church service, told BBC Radio Merseyside that Elsie’s parents described her as an “extraordinary little girl”.

Ms Hardy said they had told her she was “very kind-natured” and “would look after other people”.

She added: “She loved chatting, she loved having fun. She loved a party and a celebration.

“She was unusual in some ways that she could really connect and converse with adults along with children.

“She was wise beyond her years; emotionally intelligent and just an absolute joy to be around.”

Ms Hardy said Elsie’s love of celebrations would be reflected in the service, when the funeral cortege will be greeted with a “pink carpet”.

She said: “We are hoping there can be some joy amid the sadness.”

Lighthouse Choir from Liverpool will perform throughout, while a singer and pianist will perform some of Elsie’s favourite songs -including by Taylor Swift.

Elsie’s family will walk behind the cortege from her home to the church, along Dunbar Road, Sandon Road, Cardigan Road and St John’s Road.

Members of the public who want to pay their respects are asked to gather from Dunbar Road or near the church.

The service will be live-screened at St John’s Church Hall and Liverpool Road Methodist Church in Birkdale.

The family will go on to a private service in Burscough.

A vigil is planned at The Atkinson arts centre in Lord Street in Southport later.

Royal Mail staff will pay tribute when the cortege passes as Elsie’s father, David Stancombe, is a postal worker.

Eight other children and two adults were seriously injured during the knife attack.

On Wednesday, King Charles held a private meeting with the families of Elsie, Alice and Bebe in London, after having travelled to Southport on Tuesday.

He met survivors and emergency service workers in the town and also signed a book of condolence.