King Charles in Southport to meet attack victims

King Charles has arrived in Southport to meet the victims of a knife attack that claimed the lives of three young girls.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, died when a knifeman attacked a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Hart Street, on 29 July.

Ten others were seriously injured including yoga teacher, Leanne Lucas, 35, who has recently been readmitted to hospital.

During a private meeting the King will hear about the experiences of some of the young children who were attacked in his first official visit to the town.

King Charles, who has been receiving cancer treatment this year, previously issued a statement in the wake of the attack, saying he was "profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident".

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Funerals have recently been held for Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King and a number of vigils have taken place.

The King had called for unity after unrest and disorder spread across England following the attack.

He will meet frontline emergency staff and members of the community affected by the disorder as well as regional leaders.

During the visit the King is expected to hear from staff representing Merseyside's police, fire and rescue and ambulance services.