is being held this morning. the seven—year—old was killed during the attack at a taylor swift in dance class. herfamily have attack at a taylor swift in dance class. her family have asked for the service at saintjohn�*s church to be called lc�*s special day. these are live pictures coming in from southport with people attending a procession ahead of the funeral service. we can now take you inside the church and listen to some of the singing and the music at the moment. # did you ever know that you're my hero? # and everything i would like to be. # and everything i would like to be. # i can fly higher than an eagle.

# i can fly higher than an eagle. # with you as the wind beneath my wings. # you're my hero. # you're my hero. # you're my hero. # you are my hero. # you are my hero. # did you ever know that you're my hero? # and everything i would like to be. # and everything i would like to be. # i can fly higher than an eagle. # i can fly higher than an eagle. # with you as the wind beneath my wings. # you are the wind beneath my wings.

studio: this is the funeral service being held for seven—year—old elsie dot stancombe in southport. she is one of the three young girls killed during a knife attack in the town last month. she was killed alongside nine—year—old alice da silva aguiar and six—year—old bebe king. i think you canjust make and six—year—old bebe king. i think you can just make out a and six—year—old bebe king. i think you canjust make out a pink and six—year—old bebe king. i think you can just make out a pink carpet. herfamily had asked you can just make out a pink carpet. her family had asked for the you can just make out a pink carpet. herfamily had asked for the pink carpet to be laid out as elsie would

have wanted. these are the live carpet to be laid out as elsie would have wanted. these are the live pictures from southport of people pictures from southport of people coming in to attend the funeral the funeral service for elsie dot stancombe. her coming in to attend the funeral service for elsie dot stancombe. her family asked that those coming into family coming into pay respects to to wear bright family asked that those coming into pay respects to to wear bright this colours, they said they wanted this to be called elsie dot stancombe�*s colours, they said they wanted this to be called elsie dot special day. earlier in a statement colours, they said they wanted this to be called earlier>t colours, they said they wanted this to be called earlier in a statement released by merseyside police on behalf of the family they said elsie colours, they said they wanted this to be called family n a statement colours, they said they wanted this to be called family they tatement colours, they said they wanted this dot stancombe spent every day simply to be called family they said nent colours, they said they wanted this to be called family they said elsie behalf of the family they said elsie dot stancombe spent every day simply enjoying life with determination, enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness. persistence, love and kindness. elsie was an amazing girl, she had elsie was an amazing girl, she the ability to lighten up any room persistence, love and kindness. elsi ability|n amazing girl, she persistence, love and kindness. elsi ability toamazing girl, she persistence, love and kindness. elsi ability to lighten girl, she persistence, love and kindness. elsi ability to lighten up �*l, she persistence, love and kindness. elsi ability to lighten up any 1e persistence, love and kindness. she entered, she was truly elsi ability to lighten up any room the ability to lighten up any room she entered, she was truly unforgettable, the family said. they unforgettable, the family said. they went on to say she loved to dance went on to say she loved to dance and it goes without saying that she and it goes without saying that she

was a devoted swiftie. would was a devoted swiftie. she was always up for anything and

was a devoted swiftie. she was always upfora music and was a devoted swiftie. she was always up for a music from the singing and the music from the lighthouse choir in liverpool who are attending the service too. the family of elsie say they want their stay to be a celebration of the seven—year—old. as you can see, there is a pink carpet that the congregation of the servers have been walking on, they say this is in memory and celebration of elsie. i will read you more of the statement issued by the family earlier, from elsie's mumjenny, her dad david and younger sister rosie who is aged just three years old. they said, she was persistent and her persistence was persistent and her persistence was admirable. they say it from completing a three k run and 10k charity walk for her local hospice as well as moving the book advance

in school, everything she did she gave 100% and would never give up —— alice da silva aguiar as well as six—year—old bi would g. alice da silva aguiar as well as six—year—old bi would never give up —— as well as moving up book bands in gave 100% and would never give up —— as well as moving up book bands in school. ourfamily school. ourfamily as well as moving up book bands in school. our family affirmation as well as moving up book bands in school. ourfamily affirmation is as well as moving up book bands in school. our family affirmation is as long as you enjoy yourself, try your as well as moving up book bands in school. our family affirmation as well as moving up book bands in school. ourfamily affirmation is as well as moving up book bands in school. our family affirmation is as long as you enjoy yourself, try your best and have fun, nothing else best and have fun, nothing else matters. we are the four best matters. we are the four best friends in the whole wide world and friends in the whole wide world and that mantra will remain for the rest that mantra will remain for the rest of our lives. if you are watching of our lives. if you are watching bbc news, and this is live coverage bbc news, and this is live coverage as we wait for seven—year—old elsie as we wait for seven—year—old elsie dot stancombe to begin. she is one dot stancombe to begin. she is one of the three victims of last month's of the three victims of last month's stabbings in southport and this stabbings in southport and this funeral is being held this morning funeral is being held this morning at stjohn�*s church in birkdale. at stjohn�*s church in birkdale. this is the last of the three this is the last of the three funerals, we have already seen more funerals, we have already seen more recently funerals for nine—year—old recently funerals for nine—year—old alice da silva aguiar as well as alice da silva aguiar as well as

six—year—old bebe king. six—year—old bebe king. of course, we will just step away for a six—year—old bebe king. of course, we willjust step away for a moment and we will bring you more on that funeral as soon as it starts. this is the funeral for seven—year—old elsie dot stancombe in southport. the uk energy regulator ofgem has announced that its price cap will increase by ten per cent from the first of october. it means an average household in england, scotland, and wales will pay an extra 149 pounds a year — although prices will still be lower than last winter. ofgem has said that rising prices in the international energy market because of heightened political tensions and extreme weather, was the main driver of the decision. despite the higher energy price cap, the energy security secretary, ed miliband, has defended the government's decision to means test winter fuel payments. i know this will be really worrying

news for lots of families who will face even greater struggles this winter, and it is a direct result of our country's exposure to international gas markets that are controlled by dictators, that is a legacy left to us by the last government. that is why this government has a plan to do something about it. our mission for clean, home—grown power that we control in this country, and it is why we have hit the ground running in just seven weeks, consenting new solar power, overturning the ban on offshore wind is precisely to give our country the energy security we do not have at the moment. our money and work reporter, peter ruddick, has more on what these changes mean and how this increase came about. so we will take a step away from the

ofgem story and take you back to southport to listen into the funeral for seven—year—old elsie dot stancombe. i5 for seven-year-old elsie dot stancombe.— for seven-year-old elsie dot stancombe. , ., ., . ., stancombe. is to the entrance to the care of elsie — stancombe. is to the entrance to the care of elsie to _ stancombe. is to the entrance to the care of elsie to him. _ stancombe. is to the entrance to the care of elsie to him. the _ stancombe. is to the entrance to the care of elsie to him. the one - stancombe. is to the entrance to the care of elsie to him. the one who - care of elsie to him. the one who knitted together in her mum's womb and the one who holds her hand at this moment. we have come to hear all about an extraordinary little girl who was tenderhearted, outgoing, caring and kind. a

girl who was tenderhearted, outgoing, carii we nd kind. a girl who was tenderhearted, outgoing, carii we are ind. a girl who was tenderhearted, outgoing, carii we are continuing elsie fest, and we are continuing that theme. we have come together to celebrate elsie and having our own little elsie fest. we are all sad as we say goodbye to elsie but i hope you can take comfort knowing that death is not the end, asjesus said, i am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me even though they die will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. we will now begin our service with a prayer. let us pray. dear god, we thank you that you are here with us today, that you are a couege with us today, that you are a college ofjustice, mercy and peace, and we invite you now by your holy spirit to be among us, to help us in our sadness and to go before us in

our sadness and to go before us in our celebration of elsie's life. in your mercy, turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life, and the sorrow of parting into the joy of having through our saviourjesus christ, amen. would you know stand with me as we sing our first him, abide with me? # abide with me, fast fold the eventide. # the darkness deepens lord, with me abide.

# when other helpers fail and comforts flee. # help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. # swift to its close ebbs out life's little day. # earth's joys grow little day. # earth'sjoys grow dim, its little day. # earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away. # change and decay in all around i see. # 0 thou who changest not, abide with me.

# ifear no # i fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless. # ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. # i fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless. # ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

# where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory? . # i triumph still, if thou abide with me. # hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes. # shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. # heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee.

# in life, in death, o lord, abide with me. i have the greatest honour and privilege now of sharing with you elsie dot, by her mum and dad. elsie dot stancombe has brought light, love and joy to so many lives in her seven and a half years. from the moment her parents knew of her existence, she has brought them nothing but happiness, and the life she has lived has been a true reflection of the love they have all

shared together. jenny and david were absolutely delighted to discover they were going to become parents for the first time, and they did all the things you would expect them to do. and as anybody who knows jenny well, there was, of course, a meticulously planned out your order of things for everything to go. except elsie always like to do things the way she wanted to and on her own watch. she arrived outside a whole five weeks early. jenny had just finished work that day. she was looking forward to a few weeks rest, lunch is out with her friends, last—minute baby shopping, the things we all think we will all do in those first few weeks of maternity leave. elsie was far too excited to meet her mummy and daddy

and made it known that her time was now. from the moment she was first placed in your arms, the first time you saw her special name written on the board to puff a hospital bed, she fell to both pride that words simply can't describe —— a special name written on the board above the hospital bed. at first night at home you wondered, what on earth do we do now? how are we responsible for this perfect little girl? all new parents go through the exact same process but elsie did not pick up on the fear or worry that you had. she stated into your lives perfectly. she taught you how to be the very best mummy and daddy and she showed you right from the start that you were 18 and you were all in it together. —— that you were our team.

jenny fully embraced being a new mum and all that approach with it. she had elsie went to all of the baby classes and made new friends along the way. they learned so much more about one another than she ever thought possible. as the months went by and the next chapter was about to begin jenny by and the next chapter was about to beginjenny and by and the next chapter was about to begin jenny and david by and the next chapter was about to beginjenny and david scoured the whole board for the perfect nursery for elsie and they found thatjust down the road from here. —— skywards of the whole of southport. elsie absolutely loved nursery. she was never one for looking back and wondering where mum and dad had gone, she walked in and embraced at all. from the moment she could walk she took herself off to play and explore and was always the child to everyone else wanted to play with. how kind and caring nature welcome

to everyone in. from such a young age she had such a high level of emotional intelligence. her confidence grew and grew and she was turning into this wonderfully polite and kind little girl, a testament to all her parents and the grown—ups in her life. herteachers all her parents and the grown—ups in her life. her teachers at farnborough roads were always full of praise for her ability to always try her best and she never once got cross if something did not quite go her way. cross if something did not quite go herway. her cross if something did not quite go her way. her heart was too kind, too kind for anger and upset and she would always find a way of working out a solution to better support her, and on she went from there. elsie lived out her school values every single day. she respected everyone she ever had an interaction with, she showed compassion for people in abundance, she persevered at everything she tried her hand

too, even if she was not a massive fan of it. she was honest and always striving for justice. fan of it. she was honest and always striving forjustice. but most of all, she was loving and kindness overflowed from her always. her peers sought this in hair and elected her as school counsellor for their class to represent them in by school —— her peers saw this in her. she had the opportunity to make a difference in her community and was so excited to get started. elsie's ability to try her hand at everything ranged from gymnastics and cheerleading, which she absolutely loved, to sponsored charity works in memory of her nanna and raising money for places in her local community. she would often be found, as most seven—year—old girl stew, practising her coat wheels at

any given opportunity and making sure she knew her routine in time for the next year practice. her dog a determination to complete a 10k walk around southport on a cold, dark friday evening in decemberjust epitomised her strength and her want to make her loved ones proud. she even made a point of saying to her dad at one point, i would love to go on your shoulders right now, but we are nearly at the end. i'm going to keep going. she knew her nano would be watching and shining down on her with pride. —— she knew her nanna. her proudest moment came when she found out she was being given the title of big sister. as any of us who are big sisters will know, it is an incredibly privileged title to hold and one she was so excited for.

she absolutely adored her little sister rosie. she doted on her, and no one else could. the three best friends became four, and family time together was so, so precious. elsie and rosie have grown up with their parents showing them how to truly live, how to embrace everything life throws at you and to always, always be there for one another. they did all the things we so often take for granted, all the things we don't give a second thought to. i would sit near and far, bike rides to the lake, the fiery lake as a named it —— there were days out near and far. mother and daughter coffee mornings, painting nails together, baking in

the kitchen, going for a sunday roast or simply having music on in the background and talking to each other about their days. elsie loved helping her dad choose the next song and also threw in the odds correspond compliment here and there about his choices, and some of what is here is because of elsie and her dad's love of music and the different types they would have at home and in the car. as elsie grew older and into the beautiful little girl that we love, her eye for fashion and detail grew with her. she had always had a good sense of style, she even managed to make one of her barbies a brand—new dress out of her barbies a brand—new dress out of a little sweet wrapper she had found. she loved to creative and making new things and the sewing machine father christmas brought her last year was the start of her thinking about bringing her designs to life. hobby craft was one of her

favourite shops. she could spend hours browsing the different fabrics, looking for the right pattern, and she loved helping her mum pick their outfits for the day. she was starting to take an interest in skincare and make—up, sometimes too much of an interest asjenny often found her make—up drawer had been interfered with. a rite of passage for any little girl is getting your ears pierced. elsie was so excited whenjenny getting your ears pierced. elsie was so excited when jenny finally getting your ears pierced. elsie was so excited whenjenny finally gave in and said she could have her ears pierced. david had the honour of taking elsie shopping just for few weeks ago for her very first pair of earrings. i think they had scoured every shop in southport for the right pair, and she had a good eye for these things. elsie loved talking to people. she had a genuine and vested interest in everyone and

really took the time to sit and listen and engage in your conversation. she could strike up conversation. she could strike up conversation with anyone about anything and instantly made you feel at ease. she was so bright and articulate and you sometimes wondered how this beautiful little girl was intelligent enough to convert with you in the way that she did. if she knew you were heading out somewhere, if you were just p°ppin9 out somewhere, if you were just popping to the shop or going on the next tip run, she would always offer to come with you for company. she never wanted you to be on your own. she also knew if you were going to the shop there might be a sneaky little something in it for her as well. but that was her kind and caring, loving nature that she was just born with, simplyjust being elsie. she spent every single day of

her lifejust simply elsie. she spent every single day of her life just simply enjoying life, living her best life every single day, whether at home with her family, into school with herfriends are all playing in the park with children she had just met. —— all playing in the park with children she had just met. elsie embrace life and the sadness we feel here today is notjust because of the life we have lost in elsie but because of the life we have lost in ourselves because of elsie not being here. she has made the biggest impact on so many people's lights, a numberfar too difficult to compete. her legacy remains here on earth in you, her parents, in rosie, in her grandparents, her cousins, aunties, uncles and friends. your beautiful,

perfect little girl made you her mummy and daddy and i can never, ever be taken away. elsie was a gift given to you and her sister and she made sure lives immeasurablyjoyful. her story does not end here today. her story does not end here today. her story does not end here today. her story will be told every single day by those who love her. her name, such a specially, carefully chosen name, will be set every single day. she will make you smile every single day, just as she did when she was by your side. day, just as she did when she was by yourside. elsie day, just as she did when she was by your side. elsie absolutely will continue to make a difference to this world because of her pure and kind. she always stood what made her happy and would want you to continue

her happiness in your hearts. the light she brought to your lives will never, ever demolish. hersparkle will always shine and our love for her will grow every single day. thank you, elsie, for being exactly who you were meant to be. thank you. thanks, emily. what an amazing little girl elsie dot was. we will hear a tribute from one of her teachers from school now, sykes. everybody remembers elsie. she had a huge impact on everybody at our infant school. she had an innate ability to light up any room she entered, she made everybody smile just might be on her. we found

comfort in sharing stories about her time at farnborough road. as you can imagine, there are thousands of memories i could share but hopefully these will demonstrate the amazing little girl we all love and remember. when elsie first arrived at school on her dad put much shelter she quickly made an impression. she was notjust elsie, she was elsie dot. she explains, thatis she was elsie dot. she explains, that is my name because my mummy says i am just like a little daughter. people fondly remember the many ways she travelled to school, her dad's shelter is turning to push along bike with a helmet, then the stabilisers and eventually writing into school on her own. whatever the transport, she always managed to do it with style. nursery, when elsie returned after a day off, mrs farmer assumed she had been unwell. elsie

quickly corrected her, explaining how she had enjoyed a trip to a spa with mum, proudly showing off her latest sparkly nail varnish. we all know know how much elsie loved having her nails done — the more sparkle the better. her show and tell in reception will forever be a highlight. each child brings in something special to school to share with their friends. of course, elsie had to think slightly outside the box. she decided on a pair of glittery heels. after presenting her shoes to the class, she excitedly put them on. elsie then walked around the show and tell circle in her clip t klopps, asking everyone to feel them, because obviously there was the ultimate must have. if you could have, she would have worn them all day. definitely rather than them all day. definitely rather than the x might luckily for her, the school post was delivered by none other than her dad. it became her daily mission to spot dad on his round, whether that might be through the canteen window, to spot dad on

his round, whether that might be through the canteen window,