The life of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, who was killed in the Southport knife attack, was celebrated with balloons, bubbles and her favourite Taylor Swift music at her funeral service. Her family described her as “a truly unforgettable” girl and a “devoted Swiftie” who “brought light, love and joy to so many lives”, and said they wanted to mark the day with “positivity, hope and love”. In a statement released on the morning of the funeral, they said: “Elsie embraced life and it is with positivity, hope and love that we celebrate her life today on ‘Elsie’s Special Day’. “Elsie spent every day just simply enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness. Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room that she entered, she was truly unforgettable.” Elsie, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, were fatally injured in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at a studio on Hart Street on 29 July. Elsie’s was the final funeral to be held for victims of the attack. Her family said: “She loved to dance and it goes without saying she was a devoted ‘Swiftie’, she was always up for anything and gave every activity a go, we went to them all. “She found her real passion in cheerleading, her weekly classes couldn’t come around quick enough. Her persistence was admirable, from completing a 3k run and 10k charity walk for her local hospice, as well as moving up books bands in school, everything she did she gave 100% and would never give up.” A new photo showing Elsie with her younger sister, Rosie, three, and parents David and Jenni was released with the statement, which went on to say: “Our family affirmation is ‘as long as you try your best, enjoy yourself and have fun, nothing else matters. “‘We are the four best friends in the whole wide world’ – and that mantra will remain with us for the rest of our lives, sound in the knowledge that Elsie is here with us and forever will be in our hearts. “Elsie has brought light, love and joy to so many lives and it has been clear to us in the overwhelming response from everybody that knew her and everybody within the community. We will be always be grateful for the love and support we have had over these past weeks, and we are and will continue to be proud to live in Southport. “To that end, Elsie’s legacy will continue and as a family we will ensure that her impact and legacy endures with positivity and hope, and with Elsie by our side forever and always.” Mourners – including the family dog, Bobby – gathered outside St John’s Church in Birkdale to see the horse-drawn carriage arrive, which had travelled from the family home through streets decorated with pink ribbons. Among those in attendance were emergency workers and Ibrahim Hussein, the imam of Southport mosque, which was damaged when violence broke out in Southport the day after the attack. Elsie’s coffin, topped with flowers and a blue cuddly toy, was carried up a pink carpet towards a balloon arch at the entrance of the church, while members of her cheerleading squad, Vortex Cheer, formed a guard of honour as bubbles were blown into the air. The church was filled with colour, as mourners were asked not to wear black, but to don pastels or bright colours. As Elsie’s coffin left the church, a young woman sang one of her favourite songs – Taylor Swift’s Love Story. As the cortege passed floral tributes in Southport town centre after the service, hundreds of people who had gathered nearby broke their silence to applaud. The cortege was followed by nine red Royal Mail vans, a tribute to Elsie’s father, David, a postal worker, each one with pink ribbons tied to the vehicle. Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with the murders of Elsie, Alice and Bebe, as well as the attempted murder of instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes, and eight children who cannot be named for legal reasons, and possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.