Pubs to hold minute's silence for attack victims

Pubs across the town centre will hold tribute nights in memory of the victims

Pubs and other venues across Southport will pay tribute to the three girls killed in the knife attack by holding a minute's silence later.

More than 30 town centre operators will observe the silence at about 20:00 BST, followed by the playing of Taylor Swift’s song Love Story, Southport Business Improvement District said.

Head of operations Luke Randles said: “We have been inundated with requests from local businesses who are all looking for ways in which they can support the local community in the wake of this week’s tragic events.

"Southport Pubwatch venues have come together to organise this fitting tribute.”

The initiative was conceived by the team at The Avenue, The Carlton, The Auld Dubliner and Chop House Rock Bar - before fellow licensees followed suit and supported the idea.

'Fitting tribute'

It comes after various landmark buildings across the north-west planned to light up in pink in memory of the victims.

Sefton Council said the Atkinson arts venue in Southport, where a vigil was held on Tuesday, would be one the buildings to mark the tribute on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed in the stabbings 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.

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

He was scheduled to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 25 October for a pre-trial preparation hearing.