Funeral under way for Southport attack victim Alice da Silva Aguiar

Reuters A funeral hearse and horse-drawn carriage leads the funeral procession as people watch from the sides of the road — The funeral of Alice da Silva Aguiar is being held at St Patrick’s Church in Southport

Crowds have lined streets for the funeral for one of the three girls killed in the Southport attacks.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, aged nine, died from her injuries in hospital a day after a knifeman attacked children attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.

Bebe King, aged six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, also died in the attack, where eight other girls and two adults were injured.

About 300 people gathered near the church, some held balloons and others released bubbles before a round of applause broke out as the cortege arrived.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, pictured during her Holy Communion, was described by her local priest as a “wonderfully happy girl”

Family handout Alice da Silva Aguair in her white Holy Communion dress next to a large Christian cross — Alice da Silva Aguiar, pictured during her Holy Communion, was described by her local priest as a “wonderfully happy girl”

A group of paramedics arrived with a pink bouquet outside the church

PA Media Paramedics outside St Patrick's Church with pink bouquet — A group of paramedics arrived with a pink bouquet outside the church

Pink ribbons and balloons were tied to lampposts and garden walls.

Outside the packed church, many mourners listened as the service was broadcast through speakers.

In an earlier tribute, Alice’s parents said: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that.”

The family, who is Portuguese, attended a celebration of her life on Tuesday, which is traditional in Portugal one week after a person has died.

Well-wishers applauded as the funeral procession arrived at the church

Reuters Men carry the coffin of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, topped with pink roses — Well-wishers applauded as the funeral procession arrived at the church

Liverpool players and fans held a minute’s silence at their pre-season friendly with Sevilla at Anfield earlier

Getty Images back view of Liverpool players clasping arms around each other as they hold a minute's silence — Liverpool players and fans held a minute’s silence at their pre-season friendly with Sevilla at Anfield earlier

Father John Heneghan, who is leading the funeral service at St Patrick’s Church, previously told BBC Radio Merseyside that his abiding memory of Alice was of a “wonderfully happy girl” who brought “joy to her mum and dad”.

He said the town’s residents were “very bruised and would be for a long time” following the attack, adding that many were “horrified” by how the stabbings had been used as an excuse to spark disorder across the UK.