Mourners wearing pink are paying their respects to nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was shot dead at her home in Liverpool last month.

People attending were asked to add a ‘splash of pink’ to their outfits at St Margaret Mary’s Church, Knotty Ash.

People lined the street as her white coffin, with butterflies on the side, arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage.

Alongside the coffin were lilies and other floral tributes shaped like unicorns and teddy bears in the white carriage.

A hearse with floral tributes saying ‘daughter’ and ‘Liv’ arrived at the church, while Olivia’s mum Cheryl Korbel carried a pink teddy.

Mourners, many with pink ribbons pinned to their outfits, were in tears as the cortege arrived.

Olivia’s headteacher, Rebecca Wilkinson, was among those at the mass for the youngster.

She explained that each of the 480 pupils at her school will be creating a flower to form part of a memorial to their late friend.

It comes nearly a month after the schoolgirl was gunned down in Dovecot, Liverpool, when a shooter chased convicted burglar Joseph Nee into her family home at about 10pm on August 22.

Olivia died from a gunshot wound to her chest, while her mother Ms Korbel was injured.

St Margaret Mary’s Junior School head Mrs Wilkinson: ‘We were mindful of the fact that the children had to take some sort of role today, in spite of the fact that they’re not going to the church.

‘The wishes of the family in church were that everyone wear a splash of pink so today in school the children are all wearing a splash of pink.

‘We have got pink hearts in the windows facing the main road, we have got pink ribbons on the fence.’

School uniform rules are also being relaxed to allow nail varnish.

Mrs Wilkinson continued: ‘One of the amazing memories that the class teacher and children shared was one day Olivia came to school wearing pink nail varnish and she spent the whole day hiding her hands so that I wouldn’t see the fact she was wearing pink nail varnish!

‘So for that reason, as well as a splash of pink, we have said that the children can wear pink nail varnish today if they so wish.’

This morning staff from the funeral company wore dark suits with pink cravats and pink butterfly brooches.

The family requested attendees wear a splash of pink.

Police are continuing inquiries and have made a series of arrests in connection with the incident.

Yesterday, the founder of Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft, offered a £50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for her death.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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