Crowds pay final respects to Alice da Silva Aguiar in Southport - MASHAHER

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

Hundreds of people have paid their respects to 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

Applause broke out as the funeral procession approached the church

People lining street applaud as carriage with coffin turns into church — Applause broke out as the funeral procession approached 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.

Alice’s parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church.

There was an area of the church set aside for the emergency services who worked with the family, while a second area was set aside for other families affected by the attacks, as well as classmates, friends and family.

The BBC understands wider family were watching the service via video-link in Portugal.

Pink flowers, balloons and ribbons have been used to commemorate the girls who died

Reuters Men carry the coffin of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, topped with pink roses — Pink flowers, balloons and ribbons have been used to commemorate the girls who died

One speaker during the service was Alice’s head teacher, Jinnie Payne, of Churchtown Primary School.

She described Alice as a “curious girl” who “never forgot the details”.

Ms Payne said one of her teachers had named her baby after Alice, news that appeared to deeply affect her mother.

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

Among those paying their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, along with about 30 uniformed police officers and representatives from the ambulance and fire services.

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.

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, from Merseyside Police, attended with colleagues from the emergency services

PA Media Chief constable Serena Kennedy speaking to a colleague outside the church — Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, from Merseyside Police, attended with colleagues from the emergency services

Father John Heneghan, who lead the funeral service, 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.