Final funeral of young girls killed in Southport attack to take place

The parents of Elsie Dot Stancombe have asked for it to be referred to as ‘Elsie’s Special Day’

The funeral will take place later for the last of the victims of the Southport knife attack.

7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe was one of three little girls killed in the incident in July.

Her family have asked for today to be known as ‘Elsie’s Special Day’, with a service getting underway at St John’s Church at 10am.

Mourners are asked to wear pastel or bright colours, but not black, for the service.

A statement on the Facebook page for FJ Gibb Funeral Directors said: “Elsie’s mum and dad, and her family, are encouraging friends and all the local community to give her the best possible celebration on Friday – ‘Elsie’s Special Day’.”

A funeral procession will pass through Birkdale to the church ahead of the service.

After the service the procession will pass the site of floral tributes outside the Atkinson arts centre in Southport, with a tribute as part of the cortege from Royal Mail, where Elsie’s father David works.

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 on July 29.

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