Liverpool lights up at vigil in memory of murdered 12-year-old Ava White

Mourners broke down in tears as a vigil was held in Ava’s memory (Picture: PA)

Hundreds of people have turned out to pay their respects to 12-year old Ava White, who was tragically stabbed to death after

a Christmas lights switch-on.

Friends and family gathered close to the scene where the schoolgirl was killed in Liverpool City Centre last month.

Hundreds of balloons, some in the shape of the letter A, were released at the start of the vigil.

Many people wore hoodies with Ava’s face on and others had her name written on their faces.

The Radio City tower was lit up blue in memory of the Year 8 Notre Dame Catholic College pupil.

Ava was fatally stabbed as she went to watch the Christmas lights switch on (Picture: PA)

Balloons wee released as people take part in a vigil in Ava’s memory (Picture: PA)

Friends and family gathered close to the scene where the schoolgirl was killed in Liverpool City Centre last month (Picture: PA)

Mourners lit up their phones and shone glow sticks at the vigil (Picture: PA)

Imagine by John Lennon was performed by Astrid Smith as hundreds held up glowsticks and phones to light up the city centre in Ava’s memory.

Liverpool FC anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone was played as was music including Hero by Mariah Carey and Where Is The Love by the Black Eyed Peas.

A number of the crowd were in tears during the vigil.

On Friday, a statement on the Facebook page of vigil organisers A&E Entertainment said: ‘Tomorrow we will all come together as one, standing up against knife crime and standing strong for the family of a beautiful life lost.

‘We stand together as we light Liverpool up for a beautiful little soul Ava White.’

It comes after Ava’s father, Robert Martin, paid tribute to his daughter.

12-year-old Astrid Smith sang during the vigil for Ava (Picture: PA)

The crowd also sang LFC anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ (Picture: PA)

Ava’s death has sent shockwaves across the nation (Picture: PA)

He said the family has been left ‘completely devastated and heartbroken’.

In a statement released by Merseyside Police, Mr Martin said: ‘We would like to say thank you to everybody for their ongoing support during this devastating time.

‘Thank you to every one of you for your kind messages and donations.

‘As Ava’s family we are completely devastated and heartbroken by what has happened and we ask that you respect our privacy at this time and allow us to grieve as a family.’

Ava’s school previously remembered her as ‘bubbly’ and popular.

Tributes were also paid to Ava at the Merseyside derby match, between Liverpool FC and Everton, on Wednesday.

The government and local authorities are under more pressure to crack down on knife crime (Picture: PA)

Ava is remembered as popular and bubbly (Picture: PA)

A minute’s applause was held and a banner with both club’s badges read ‘No more knives in our city’ was held by supporters.

The case has sent shockwaves across the nation as pressure piles on the government to deal with a crisis in violent crime,

Ava was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after the attack at about 8.30pm on November 25, but later died from ‘catastrophic injuries’, police said.

A 14-year-old boy appeared in court earlier this week charged with her murder.

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