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FINAL GOODBYE
Singing rings out across street for funeral of Southport victim Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, as family leave church
The service and cremation will be a private event followed by a wake at Crossens Community Centre
SINGING rang out in the street during Southport victim Alice Da Silva Aguiar's funeral as her heartbroken family left the church.
A crowd gathered outside St Patrick's Catholic Church on Marshside Road, in Sefton town, to listen to the service relayed through speakers from 2pm on Sunday.
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Mourners dressed in all white followed the horse-drawn carriage carrying the little girl's coffin ahead of her funeral earlier this afternoon.
The final hymn Shine Jesus Shine rang out across the street outside as the service came to an end.
A wake will now be held at Crossens Community Centre.
Alice, nine, was one of three little girls tragically killed in the brutal attack at a Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop in Merseyside on July 29.
She died on Tuesday, July 30, a day after the atrocity which also saw Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, killed.
Alice's heartbroken parents, Sergio and Alexandra, were joined by family and friends at the private service and cremation.
Hundreds of mourners dressed all in white gathered along Marshside Road to pay their respects.
Paramedics arrived with large flower arrangements and pink heart shaped balloons.
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Pink ribbons and balloons were also tied to nearby lampposts and garden walls.
A huge display of floral tributes was laid outside the church to honour Alice's memory, and bubbles released into the air.
Mourners applauded as the coffin, covered by pink roses, arrived in a beautiful white horse-drawn carriage.
It was accompanied by about 30 uniformed officers as a heavy police presence remains in the area.
Several hundred people entered the church while more listened outside as the service was broadcast on speakers.
Among those who also gathered were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, along with officers from the police, ambulance and fire services.
Father John Heneghan, the parish priest of St Marie and St Patrick Catholic Churches in Southport said Alice had a "rainbow smile" and was "one of our most precious children".
The youngster had only just received her First Holy Communion three months ago.
"It is going to be profoundly sad, but it's not only going to be that, because we will be looking into what her parents believe," said Father John before the service.
"Alexandra and Sergio, her mum and dad, believe in the resurrection. They don't believe this is the end.
"So the way they express that is 'let her dance to heaven', because she loved dancing, and that is a beautiful image."
He added: "Our hearts reach out to her family and the families of the two other girls who died and those who are injured.
"We hold in our hearts all who are affected by the terrible stabbings in our town."
Tributes poured in for young Alice last month after her family confirmed she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Her heartbroken loved ones said she would "always be their princess".
An emotional tribute read: "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.
"Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy."
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar were named as the victims of the knife rampage in Merseyside last month.
Eight other children also suffered stab wounds in the horror along with two adults.
A minute's silence was also held in memory of the victims of the Southport attacks today at the Pre-Season Friendly match between Liverpool and Sevilla at Anfield.
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Axel Rudakubana, who turned 18 this month, was charged with three counts of murder on August 1 at Liverpool Crown Court.
He is also accused of ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article - a curved kitchen knife used in the attack.
Rudakubana, who lives in Banks, Lancashire, but is from Cardiff originally, was remanded into custody until October 25.
No plea was entered but a provisional trial date, lasting six weeks, was scheduled for January 20.
Hero dance teacher Leanne Lucas is understood to have been knifed in the arms, neck and back as she used her body to shield young girls from the knifeman.
Her colleague Heidi Liddle escaped uninjured after bravely locking some of the children inside a toilet.
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Another adult, Jonathan Hayes, was stabbed in the leg as he tried to fend off the attacker after running into the class when he heard screams.
The attack has sparked riots across the country - despite the local community calling for calm.
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