Relatives at the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Elsie Dot Stancombe heard she had brought “light, love and joy to so many lives”.

In a eulogy delivered by her parents at the packed St John’s Church in Birkdale, it was said the seven-year-old girl had “brought them nothing but happiness”.

Hundreds of people gathered in the streets surrounding the church ahead of the service, which her family wanted to be known as “Elsie’s Special Day.”

Her parents encouraged people to wear bright colors and make the day a celebration of her life.

“From the moment her parents knew of her existence, she has brought them nothing but happiness and the life she has led is a true reflection of the love they all shared,” the council was told.

Kayleigh Simmons’ poem I am Not Really Gone was read “from Elsie’s perspective” by Reverend Canon Anne Taylor of St Peter’s Church, Formby.

It contained the following lines: “I’m not really gone, there are so many parts of me left. I want to remind you when you’re hurting.

“When you hear the laughter of my friends and the words of my favorite song, When you look up at the twinkling stars, You’ll know I’ve been here all along.”

Katie Sykes from Farnborough Road School paid tribute at the service.

“When Elsie first arrived at school, on her father’s shoulders, she immediately made an impression.

“She wasn’t just Elsie, she was Elsie Dot. With her hands on her hips and her usual cheeky glint, she explained, ‘That’s my name, because my mother says I’m just like a little dot.'”

Mrs Sykes also shared tributes from her school friends, who told of how they had played and laughed together and how much they loved her.

Jennie Sephton, headteacher at Farnborough Road School, read Vicky Holder’s poem We Only Wanted You.

In an earlier statement released by Elsie’s family, they said they would celebrate her life “with positivity, hope and love”.

“’We are the four best friends in the whole world’ – and that mantra will stay with us for the rest of our lives, knowing that Elsie is here with us and will be in our hearts forever,” they said.

In addition to those in attendance at the church, others also watched the service on screens in the church hall and in the Liverpool Road Methodist Church.

After the service, a funeral cortege passed by where flowers were laid outside the Atkinson Arts Centre in Southport. A tribute was laid by Royal Mail, where Elsie’s father, David, works.

Among those who came to pay their respects was local resident Linda Wright, who said she wanted to show the family that “we’re here for them.”

“The loss of three little girls, and the way it happened, has a huge impact on us as a community,” she said.

“You just have to come out because you feel it so deep in your heart, that you want to support the family, you want the family to know that you are there for them, and we are there for them.”

Elsie’s family will hold a private service for her this afternoon.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and six-year-old Bebe King, were also killed in the attack. Their funerals were held earlier this month.