The parents of Bebe King, six, who died in the Southport stabbings have said she “was full of joy, light, and love” and will remain in their hearts as a “sweet, kind, and spirited girl”.

Bebe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.

A family photo of Ben and Lauren King with their children, Bebe, centre and Genie, bottom right (Merseyside Police/PA)

A statement from Lauren and Ben King, released through Merseyside Police, said: “Our beloved Bebe, only six years old, was full of joy, light, and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind, and spirited girl we adore.

“The outpouring of love and support from our community and beyond has been a source of incredible comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.”