The inquests into the deaths of three young girls who were killed in the Southport stabbings are due to open today.

Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died after a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Monday July 29.

This morning, nine days after the killings, a coroner will formally open the inquests into their deaths at Bootle Town Hall in Merseyside.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is set to stand trial next year after being charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Over the last week family, friends and members of the local community have paid their respects to the victims of the attack.

Alice Dasilva Aguilar, aged nine, was one of the victims of the fatal stabbings in Southport on Monday, July 29

Elsie Dot Stancome, aged seven, was also fatally wounded during the attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class

Bebe King, aged six, was among the three young girls killed in the attack in Southport, Merseyside

People look on at floral tributes and balloons laid in the memory of the three girls in Southport

Hundreds of floral tributes have been left at the scene of the attack in Hart Street and a number of vigils have taken place in the town to remember the girls.

In a statement, Bebe’s family said: ‘No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.’

Alice’s family 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. Love from Your Hero Daddy and Mummy.’

During a service at St Patrick’s Church in Southport on Tuesday afternoon hundreds gathered in memory Alice.

One speaker fought back tears as she said: ‘Alice, you are the most beautiful, strongest girl in the world and I hope you know we love you from the bottom of our hearts. Keep smiling and dancing with the girls.’

She read out another message from the family, which said: ‘We love you Alice, Your smile is extremely contagious and full of joy. You never fail to uplift everyone’s mood.’

The service, led by Father John Heneghan, featured hymns and speeches read in both English and Portuguese.

One of Alice’s classmates said: ‘You will be in our hearts forever. You are the most kindest person in the world, and we know that you are the strongest girl we have ever met.’

People attend a vigil for the victims of the Southport stabbings on Monday, August 5, a week on from the attack

Axel Rudakubana, pictured centre in a court sketch on Thursday, August 1, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 attempted murders following the attacks

A member of staff from Alice’s school read out messages from her classmates, including one which said: ‘Alice, so kind and caring, with a smile so bright, forever in our hearts.’

The congregation gathered for a rendition of You Are My Sunshine outside the church following the ceremony.

Elsie’s great-aunt described her as ‘lovely, sweet and gentle’, BBC News reported.

Jean Stevenson said her grand-niece was ‘absolutely the sweetest child you could ever wish to meet’.

Merseyside Police said all three families are being supported by specialist officers.

Five other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack at around 11.45am on July 29. The children have all since been released from hospital.

Since the incident riots have sprung up around the country, fuelled by misinformation spread online, with around 400 people arrested in connection with the violence.

Around 100 individuals have been charged, according to director of public prosecutions Stephen Parkinson.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised communities ‘will be safe’ after a Cobra meeting and said those taking part in the unrest will ‘feel the full force of the law’.