Landmarks to light up pink after Southport attack

Balloons and tributes have been left outside the Atkinson venue in Southport

Landmark buildings across north-west England will light up pink over the weekend in memory of the young girls killed in the Southport knife attack.

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed when a knifeman attacked them during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday.

Eight other children were injured along with two adults - yoga instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

Sefton Council said the Atkinson arts venue in Southport, where a vigil was held outside on Tuesday, would be one of a number of buildings to light up pink on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in tribute to those who died.

'Display of unity'

Other landmarks including St George's Hall and the Cunard Building in Liverpool, the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Chester Town Hall will also be illuminated, as well as hospitals across the North West.

Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson said it would be "a display of the moving unity".

She said they would "continue to stand united for all of those families who are currently trying to deal with their unimaginable loss and care for victims injured".

"We have seen overwhelming support and sympathy from communities far and wide."

Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, died in the attack

It comes after the Southport Stronger Together appeal was launched by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Sefton Council and Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).

The appeal, which was launched with a £50,000 donation from the Liverpool ONE Foundation, aims to help those experiencing bereavement, serious injury, hardship or psychological issues who were directly impacted by the attack.

It will also offer help to community organisations working in the Merseyside town.

By Friday morning more than £76,000 had been raised.

The appeal is one of a number set up in the wake of the attack.

The Southport Dance Group Emergency Fund had raised more than £88,000 by Friday, with donations including £10,000 from former Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard and a donation of the same amount from Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon.

More than £340,000 was raised by Taylor Swift fans who came together to raise money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Banks in Lancashire, appeared in court on Thursday charged with murder and attempted murders.

He was remanded into youth detention accommodation.