Thousands of heartbroken mourners tonight gathered for a vigil to remember the three young girls who were killed in the Southport rampage on Monday.
Tearful locals laid flowers outside the Merseyside town's grand Atkinson building after falling silent to remember six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
They were among 11 children stabbed during a 'ferocious' knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop in Southport on Monday lunchtime.
Five further children, aged between six and 11, are in a critical condition alongside two female adults, among them hero yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, chung chi (
lambangcapgiarenhat.com) who 'bravely tried to protect them'.
In the first week of the summer holidays, the seaside town should be bustling with happy families and tourists. But at 6pm on Tuesday, more than 5,000 people stood in silence outside the Atkinson building amid an outpouring of grief and shock.
In front of the Grade II-listed building, which comprises a theatre, museum and library, is the Town Hall Gardens, where a sea of floral tributes built up.
One heartbreaking poster surrounded by candles and flowers said 'never stop dancing'. The children had been enjoying a summer holiday dance workshop when a knifeman entered the studio and launched a frenzied attack.
Among the bouquets, there were also a number of Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets. 'Thinking of you all,' a row of four of them spelt out.
Many of those in attendance wept and embraced each other as civic leaders spoke of the 'life-changing tragedy'.
Heartbroken mourners have gathered for a vigil to remember the victims of the Southport knife rampage
Six-year-old Bebe King was pronounced dead shortly after the attack in Southport on Monday
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also confirmed to have died on Monday as nine other children and two adult women were rushed to hospital
Another of the children killed in the horror Southport stabbing attack was today named as Alice Aguiar, nine
Devastated Southport families attend a vigil outside the Atkinson venue in central Southport which is being held for the child victims of a knife attack
Parents hugged their children tightly as they paid their respects to those lost in the tragedy
Floral tributes, cuddly toys and balloons were left at the heartbreaking vigil in Southport
Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, where the tragedy unfolded
Crowds of mourners left flowers as they tried to take in the horror that unfolded
Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport, to remember the three girls who lost their lives
There was an outpouring of grief and emotion at the vigil held 24 hours after the tragedy
Heartbreaking floral tributes and
teddy bears were left at the scene of the attack on Tuesday afternoon
A tribute to 'the lost angels' sits alongside a fluffy teddy bear in a heartbreaking message for the little children
Leading the vigil, the Reverend Martín Abrams, the chaplain of Southport hospital, said: 'Southport is not used to global attention. To be known around the globe for a defining incident that has shook us all to the core.
'Taylor Swift, who herself has commented on events and her bracelets of friendship which people are encouraged to make and swap and share, remind us we should never feel alone.
'Clearly the crowds tonight show we want to stand together.'
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He added: 'Tonight is not about levels or creed but it is about standing in solidarity together in the face of life changing events. We share our common humanity and we weep together.'
Mayor of Sefton, Jane Burns, said: 'It's hard to find to the correct words to say at such a horrible, dreadful time. When I went over to lay some flowers it hits you, you can't help but cry. The outpouring of grief, the sadness.
'Actually having to go and lay flowers because some little children wanted to dance at the beginning of their school holidays. It's just unbelievable.
'I hope all of you here find some comfort from somebody, even if it's somebody you meet here today, a stranger that you see needs help.
'Reach out and help. Be kind. Let's allow them families to grieve in the way they wish to grieve. I ask for calm and respect at this time.'
Dignitaries, including the Mayor of Liverpool, Richard Kemp, and Southport MP Patrick Hurley, then laid flowers alongside dozens of other bouquets by the Princess Diana fountain.
Emotional members of the public react at the vigil for the three young girls who died in Southport
There was a visible outpouring of grief as families paid tribute to those caught up in the violence
A local dignitary places a floral tribute near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport
A heartbreaking poster surrounded by candles and flowers said 'Never stop dancing'
Flowers lie on the ground as people attend a vigil for the victims of the knife attack
Pink balloons and flowers are left for the three girls who tragically lost their lives
Many were in tears as they left candles and flowers at the fountain
The horrific knife attack has sent shockwaves through the whole country
Martin Abrams, the Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Lead at Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals, speaks during a vigil
Friends console one another at the vigil in Southport, Merseyside, on Tuesday
Members of the public take part in a vigil near to the scene in Hart Street, Southport,
People hug as they attend a vigil for the victims of the knife attack in Southport
Parents and children gather to pay their respects during a vigil for the victims of a stabbing attack
Friends hug as they attend a vigil for the victims of the knife attack in Southport
Thousands of Southport locals turned up for the vigil for the victims on Tuesday evening
Heartbroken friends and families hold hands as they listen to speakers at the vigil
Many were overcome with emotion as they paid tribute to the young girls who lost their lives
Rev Abrams concluded: 'The best advice I can give to anyone is don't feel alone. There is a lot of support out there feel free to use it.'
Among the many locals who attended the event was grandmother of nine Brenda Jones, 77, who said: 'It was important to be here to show solidarity with the families of those children who died and were injured.
'I was in hospital today for a blood test and some of the staff I spoke to had actually been on duty yesterday and you could see it was still traumatic for them. One nurse had
treated one of the little girls who was injured.
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'I'm glad that so many people came out tonight to prove that Southport is really united as one now.
'It's a quiet, gentle town.