CHESTER’S Town Hall, Eastgate Clock and Newgate will be illuminated in pink this weekend as a sign of respect for the victims and families of those attacked in Southport.

The Merseyside town was rocked this week after three girls who had been attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class were stabbed to death on Monday (July 29).

A 17-year-old man, Axel Muganwa Rduakubana, is charged with three counts of murder as well as 10 counts of attempted murder after a further eight children and two adults were seriously injured.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “It is unimaginable the pain and grief being experienced by the Southport families.

“In respect and support for Southport, this weekend in partnership with our friends and neighbours in Sefton and the wider Liverpool City Region, we will be lighting Chester Town Hall, The Eastgate Clock and Newgate in pink.”

The Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Razia Daniels and the Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Paul Donovan have both written to the Mayor of Sefton, Councillor June Burnes, passing on sympathy and condolences.

A vigil in memory of the victims, Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, was held in the town on Tuesday, but the evening was marred by riots outside a nearby mosque.

Five men were arrested, and one man was later charged with possessing a knife, after a police van was set on fire and bricks were thrown.

The incident resulted in injuries to 53 police officers.